Horizon’s wrestling team lost seven matches in a home dual meet against Fairview Jan. 23. But only two of those seven bouts were actually performed. The other five were forfeits.

Daniel Perez, 126-pounder, was pinned by Fairview’s Walter Rose and Cory Romero (132) lost by decision, 11-1 against Cliff Lester. Horizon lost five more matches due to ineligibility, providing the Knights with 30 free points in the 40-37 defeat.

“Unfortunately, coming back from Christmas, a lot of the kids let their guard down a little bit,” head coach Chris Perez said. “We gave up 30 points, but overall we’re stepping up, we’re getting a little spark in us.”

Horizon’s John Gallo, (160), started off the meet by pinning Fairview’s James Kiousis. Hawks’ Xavier Boccadoro (195) and Angelo Arellano (220) pinned Bradin McEllhaney and Ethan Kennedy, respectively, before Horizon had to forfeit four times.

Aaron Beltran (113) from Horizon won by decision, 23-9 against Skyler Calderoni and Hunter Lucas (145) won his match by pinning Fairview’s Philip Giomassis. Horizon’s Michael Herman (138) won his match by decision 3-1 in the last 10 seconds of the third round.

“He wrestled one of his best matches ever,” Perez said of Herman. “I keep telling these guys they just have to keep working at it and never give up.”

The Hawks had to forfeit weight classes 108, 120, 170, 182 and heavyweight. Jonah Weil, Preston Cates, Cito Balsells, Campbell Rutherford and Enrique Vasquez accepted the forfeits for Fairview.

Despite the losses, Perez said the team is working hard and if they keep up their efforts, no team will be able to stop them.

“If they stick to their fundamentals and wrestle their style, as long as we do that we’re a good team, we’re hard to beat,” Perez said.

The Hawks will compete against Mountain Range Jan. 30 at Horizon High School.