CROWN POINT | There were no tie-breakers involved this time.
Crown Point, which lost its recent dual match with Merrillville on criteria, didn't leave any doubt in Saturday's Duneland Athletic Conference tournament.
The Bulldogs placed 13 of their 14 wrestlers in the top three to reclaim the meet title from the Pirates, 245-218.5. Portage (205.5) was third.
"For a week-and-a-half, we've been pretty down," Bulldogs coach Scott Vlink said of the dual loss. "How could we not get one more point somewhere? We're thinking we had to revamp the program.
"This is very satisfying. We couldn't ask for more of the kids. They wrestled their cans off."
The Pirates claimed five firsts to the Bulldogs' four and Portage's three.
"Coach (Jake) Rodriguez wrote on the dry erase board what we expected of each kid," Vlink said. "We didn't sugarcoat it. You have to call it the way it is. We held them to it and they responded well."
C.P. garnered titles at 120 (Josh Fuqua), 132 (Darden Schurg), 152 (Dusty Schurg) and 195 (Morgan Kral).
Fuqua (23-0) had to ride Valparaiso's Max Buckley, his off-season training partner at the Region Wrestling Academy, the entire third period to preserve a 1-0 victory.
"It was a little tighter than I expected," Fuqua said. "I wasn't getting my shots. I feel I can control people on top. It's my most comfortable position."
Michael Garza (106), Adam Garcia (120), Matt Hollins (160), Bobby Steveson (170) and Shawn Streck (Heavyweight) topped the podium for the Pirates.
Up 12-2 in the third period, Hollins needed to get off his back against C.P.'s Dax Jones to prevail 14-7.
"I just put myself in bad position, pushing in," Hollins said. "I was like, 'Oh no, I don't want to lose this.' I turned as hard as I could. I'm good on top. I've just got to make sure I don't give anything up."
Streck was one of just two freshmen to claim a top spot, pinning C.P.'s Quinton Klingberg in 4:31.
"It was my goal coming into the tournament, but I didn't wrestle as good as I wanted to. I have to stay in position a little better," Streck said. "I know I've put in a lot of work, maybe more than the other guy, so it's equal opportunity (as far as age)."
Portage's Gaige Torres (113) was the other frosh champ, registering a technical fall in 4:25. Indians Julian Torres (132) and Exvonte Jones (182) also garnered titles.
Torres fought off a single leg by Crown Point's Trevor Burlison in the final minute, then hit a takedown with 10 seconds left to survive 6-4.
"The last 30 seconds, that's what I train for, all the summer workouts," Torres said. "I'm really confident on my feet, moving in and out. Experience is everything. I was blessed to have the ability to come in as a freshman and start. I've been doing this (varsity) four years now. It's who has more heart, who wants it more."
Steveson (tech. fall), Kral (pin 1:15), and Lake Central's Gelen Robinson (pin, 0:28) all remained undefeated.
"That's my main goal for the year," Robinson said. "I just try to stick with the fundamentals. That's the most important part with my style of wrestling.
"I'm in way better condition (than last year). Technically, all my moves are improving a lot. I'm definitely where I want to be."
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