Staff photo / Preston Byers South Range’s Ryan Ruthrauff left, and Hubbard’s Misail Smalios tie up during their 157-pound match Wednesday at the Northeast 8 Conference duals in Girard.

GIRARD — South Range swept its way through the competition to win the Northeast 8 Conference dual meet Wednesday in Girard.

Faced with duals against four NE8 foes, the Raiders finished the night undefeated, having decisively beaten host Girard, as well as Hubbard, Poland and Lakeview, the latter of which is amidst its first season with a wrestling program.

“We did what we should have done,” South Range head coach Frank Giordano said. “We’ve got a good group. I have eight seniors; they’ve been with me for four years, so it’s starting to pay off.”

Led by the likes of state runner-up Tyson Seesholtz and standout 157-pound junior Ryan Ruthrauff, South Range took down Girard 54-24 before beating Lakeview 66-17, Hubbard 54-23 and Poland 58-18.

Behind 4-0 South Range was Hubbard, which defeated the three teams aside from the Raiders. The Indians finished 2-2, and Lakeview managed to beat Poland to go 1-3. Poland finished the meet, which had five ’rounds’ and one team always on a bye, without a dual victory.

Both Girard head coach Jim Cardiero and Hubbard coach Don Lehman pointed to their respective roster sizes as obstacles they were unable to completely overcome Wednesday.

“I thought our gas tanks didn’t look good in a few of our matches. … I just don’t have enough bodies to win big meets,” Cardiero said.

“We won on the mat for the most part,” Lehman said. “We were just kind of overwhelmed by the lack of numbers and had to give up some forfeits. … When you give up a forfeit, you’re giving up those six points. You have to overcome it. You have to have that, plus another one just to call it even.”

Still, several coaches expressed satisfaction at the number of matches against quality opponents their teams wrestled in Girard.

“Even some of my younger guys — it’s good, local, rivalry competition — and they’re getting good matches in,” Giordano said.

Wednesday’s meet was also just a few days after the one-month mark of the season, which officially began Dec. 4 and is nearing the halfway point. The sectional tournaments, the beginning of the all-important postseason, are scheduled for the week of Feb. 23.

“We’re getting there. We’ve got a long way to go,” Giordano said. “It’s a long season, but we’re starting to see them buy in to what we’re selling them. We’re starting to get into that time of the year, and they’re making some improvements, but we still have a lot, a lot to do.”