Bellefontaine’s High School and Middle School wrestling teams both earned victories over Urbana Wednesday, securing a dominant performance in the annual Battle of Route 68. With both teams picking up wins, Bellefontaine claimed the traveling trophy for the 11th time, extending their lead in the rivalry to 9 out of 11 victories.
High School Dual: Bellefontaine 54, Urbana 27
The Bellefontaine High School team delivered a strong performance, defeating Urbana with a commanding 54-27 score. Head coach Aaron LaBatt praised his wrestlers for their dedication, highlighting their ability to adapt and step up for the win.
“Our guys really stepped up and delivered tonight,” LaBatt said. “These guys rededicated themselves this week and showed what they were capable of.” LaBatt also noted key efforts from Hayden Alinson, Andrew Larison, and Ricky Smiley, who all earned crucial pins in the middleweights.
Key wins for the High School team:
- 113 lbs: Brooks Kinchen – Forfeit
- 126 lbs: Jared Young – Pin
- 138 lbs: Andrew Larison – Pin
- 144 lbs: Ricky Smiley – Tech Fall
- 150 lbs: Hayden Alinson – Pin
- 157 lbs: Caleb Lillard – Forfeit
- 165 lbs: Zavier May – Pin
- 190 lbs: Noah Torsell – Forfeit
- 215 lbs: Zaid Legon – Forfeit
- 132 lbs (exhibition): Braidyn Coulson – Pin
Other competitors included Jeffrey Smith (120), Eli Deal (132), Drake Hoon (175), and Cameron Hensley (285).
Middle School Dual: Bellefontaine 36, Urbana 24
The Middle School team also came through with a 36-24 victory, continuing the trend of success for the Chieftains. Several standout performances contributed to the team’s triumph.
Key wins for the Middle School team:
- 98 lbs: Dean Buffkin – Pin
- 104 lbs: River Phillips – Forfeit
- 128 lbs: Noah King – Pin
- 134 lbs: Cale Middlesworth – Forfeit
- 142 lbs: Hunter Werling – Forfeit
- 150 lbs: Ru Lyburtus – Pin
- 160 lbs: Isaac Merrin – Pin
Bellefontaine’s High School team will host the Chieftain Duals this Saturday at 9 a.m.
The Middle School team will compete at the Central Buckeye Conference event at Springfield Shawnee.
In other wrestling action, the Indian Lake men’s wrestling team had their last home dual of the season Wednesday night taking on Parkway. The Lakers won the dual 60-23.
Picking up wins for the Lakers were
- 106 Cash Scott
- 113 Brayden Riffle
- 120 Jordan Henderson
- 126 Keshawn Blackwell
- 132 Bronx Dickson
- 138 Draden Stevenson
- 157 Czar Dickson
- 190 Tristan Shoffner
- 215 Owen Pummel – win marks the 150th of his career and became only the 2nd Laker wrestler to achieve this number the other being his brother State Champion for the Lakers Hayden Pummel.
- HWT Christopher Timms.
The Lake is back in action Saturday in the first round of the State Dual meet series and the Lakers take on Waynesville in the first round. The event is at Graham High School and starts at 10 AM.
