HARVARD — The Rochelle wrestling team continues to impress after locking down its third victory of the season over a ranked opponent on Thursday. The Hubs rallied late to stun the Harvard Hornets on the road, winning 36-34 and improving to 7-2 overall. Harvard entered the week ranked No. 9 in Class 1A by the IWCOA.

The match tipped off with the 285-pound bout, which Harvard won by 5-3 decision before claiming the next three matches. Brian Hernandez defeated junior Ivan Pineda by 9-1 major decision at 106 pounds, Bryce Fiegel pinned freshman Weldon Nay at 113 poiunds and the Hornets took a forfeit at 120 pounds.

Trailing 19-0, Rochelle broke its scoreless drought when sophomore Caleb Nadig won by fall over Ivan Rosas in the second period at 126. Back-to-back pins from the Hornets extended Harvard’s lead, however, with Nik Jimenez pinning junior Grant Thompson at 132 and Brett Lovell pinning senior Wade Samp at 138.

Down 31-6 and needing almost every match remaining to clinch victory, the Hubs shot off six consecutive wins to score 30 straight points and take their first lead of the evening. Senior Keegan Davis-Carter outlasted Chase Bischke in a 9-2 decision at 145, and sophomore Ethan Tooley earned a clutch victory at 152, edging Damyan Michel by 6-4 decision.

Seniors Zeke Horn and Bryan Garza each pinned their opponents at 160 and 170, respectively, with Horn defeating Bailey Livdahl and Garza topping Eric Parra. Juniors Noah Messer and Ben Harvey kept the falls coming, as Messer pinned Edwin Quinones at 182 and Harvey pinned Nathan Rosas in the first period at 195.

Harvard needed a pin at 220 in order to sneak away with the match, but Ivan Hernandez was unable to deliver for the Hornets. Hernandez and senior Gavin Ansteth battled all the way to the end buzzer, with Hernandez earning a close 3-0 decision.