The outcome of Lawrence High’s wrestling dual with Topeka High still was in doubt heading into the 215-pound match Tuesday night at Lawrence’s West Gym.

Then Topeka’s Matt Oliva popped Lawrence’s John Berg in the face.

“It stunned me for a minute,” said Berg, who thought the hit — which cost Oliva a point — was accidental. “Then I got mad and beat him.”

LHS led 33-27 with two matches left. If Oliva had defeated Berg, the dual would have come down to the heavyweight finale. It looked like that might be the scenario when Oliva took a 5-1 lead in the second period.

Oliva tried to turn the LHS junior, but it was Berg who put Oliva on his back. Berg’s pin gave LHS an insurmountable, 39-27 lead, and heavyweight Blake Hegeman finished things off with his second pin of the night.

Berg entered the night 7-9, but he started the double dual by pinning Topeka West’s Ivan Elliott during the Lions’ 55-21 blowout.

“I think John must wrestle better in front of the home crowd,” LHS coach Mark Dulgarian said. “Maybe we should have more home meets.”

Wednesday was the only home meet of the season for the Lions. Brandon Goodwin (103 pounds), Chris Cates (119), Berg and Hegeman each won both of their matches. David Stites (125), Pharouk Hussein (135) and Nolan Kellerman (160) also went 2-0, each winning one match and another by forfeit.

Kellerman improved to 23-0 but wasn’t pleased with his 4-1 victory over Topeka West’s Josh Gibbs. Kellerman was clinging to a 2-1 lead before a late reversal in the third period.

Lawrence High's Brandon Goodwin, top, locks up Topeka West's Matt Lindenberger. The Lions played host to a double dual Wednesday at LHS.

“I wasn’t 100 percent,” said Kellerman, who missed school Tuesday because of illness. “I guess it showed out on the mat, but at least I came out with the win. I was unhappy with my performance in our only home meet.”

Hegeman and Hussein, state qualifiers last year, each joined the team late this winter, and Wednesday was Hussein’s first action. He defeated Topeka West’s Nijad Alatassi, 14-4, in the 130-pound match.

“Once he gets in shape, he’ll help us a lot,” Dulgarian said. “Getting Blake and Pharouk helps. Now we just need to get healthy. Nolan didn’t win his match on strength. He won it on smarts and knowing how to stay out of trouble.”

Brendan Halpin, who wrestled at 152 against West and 145 against Topeka, lost twice. The junior still is recovering from a shoulder injury.

“I’m happy that he fought through both matches and hung in there,” Dulgarian said, ” but I know he’s disappointed.”

The Lions’ next competition is Jan. 19 at Leavenworth.