Area wrestling teams were busy over the weekend, competing in multiple invitationals across the region and turning in strong performances highlighted by team titles, podium finishes, and key individual wins.
Indian Lake HS Boys
The Indian Lake men’s wrestling team competed in the two-day Sam Ridder Invitational in Eaton on January 30–31, facing 26 teams and emerging as the team champions. The Lakers were led by a pair of individual champions, as Keshawn Blackwell went 4–0 to claim the 120-pound title, while Bronx Dickson posted a 5–0 record to win at 150 pounds.
Indian Lake added a runner-up finish from Christopher Timms at heavyweight, who went 3–1. Brayden Riffell placed third at 126 pounds with a 4–1 record, while Jordan Henderson also finished third at 132 pounds, going 6–1. Gavin Henry earned a fourth-place finish at 144 pounds (3–2), and Cash Scott placed sixth at 106 pounds with a 3–3 mark.
Additional wins from Gabe McDermit (113), Draden Stevenson (138), Logan Hale (165), Lucas Chamberlain (190), and Jonathon Tackett (215) helped secure the Lakers’ overall team title.
Indian Lake returns home Tuesday, February 4, to host Jonathan Alder for Senior Night, with recognition beginning at 5:45 p.m. prior to the dual.
Benjamin Logan HS Boys
The Benjamin Logan Raiders competed Saturday at the Sally George Invitational at Marion Pleasant High School, finishing fifth out of 18 teams in a strong field.
The Raiders crowned two champions, as Owen Weaks captured the title at 144 pounds and Ethan Carpenter won at 175 pounds. Cooper Buck placed third at 138 pounds, while Seabass Stokes finished fifth at 120. Emerson Carpenter added a fifth-place finish at 157, and Levi Achor placed sixth at 190 pounds.
Benjamin Logan will compete next Saturday in the OHSWCA Regional Duals at Bishop Watterson High School.
Benjamin Logan HS Girls
The Benjamin Logan varsity girls wrestling team competed at the Iron Maiden Tournament at Bellefontaine High School, facing a massive field of 66 teams and finishing 18th overall.
Bella Hughes and Sophia Harris led the Raiders with runner-up finishes, each posting 4–1 records in their respective brackets. Makenley Harker finished 3–2, Livi Achor went 2–2, and Addie Anderson competed in her weight class.
The Lady Raiders return to action this weekend, competing Saturday in the first-ever Girls CBC Tournament, followed by the Triad Invitational on Sunday.
Benjamin Logan MS Girls
The Benjamin Logan middle school boys wrestling team competed at the Jr. Iron Maiden Tournament at Bellefontaine High School, battling tough competition and earning multiple victories.
Bristol Blair led the Raiders with a 3–1 record, earning a second-place finish. Monroe Thompson also turned in a strong performance, going 4–2 and finishing fourth overall.
The middle school Raiders will be back on the mat this Saturday when they compete in the CBC Tournament at Tecumseh.
West Liberty-Salem HS Girls
The West Liberty-Salem girls wrestling team competed Friday and Saturday at the Iron Maiden Tournament in Bellefontaine, one of the largest two-day girls tournaments in the state. The event featured 67 teams, with most weight classes filled to 32 or more competitors. The Tigers finished 33rd overall as a team.
At 110 pounds, Chloe Griffith delivered an outstanding performance, going 4–1 with a pin and a technical fall to earn a runner-up finish. Jenna Cline competed at 105 pounds, finishing 3–2 with three pins and narrowly missing the placement rounds. At 115 pounds, Shelby Vincent went 2–2 with a pin and a major decision.
The Tigers return to the mat this Friday at the Fairbanks Scramble.
West Liberty-Salem HS Boys
The West Liberty-Salem boys wrestling team competed at the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbird Invitational, one of the premier Division III tournaments in the state, featuring 43 teams. The Tigers turned in their best team finish in recent memory, placing fourth overall.
All 10 WLS wrestlers advanced to either the semifinals or the blood round, with four placing in the top six. Lucas Merriman finished fourth at 126 pounds, going 5–2 with two pins, a tech fall, and two major decisions. Madden Kilgore placed fifth at 132 pounds after a 4–2 weekend that included a pin, two tech falls, and a major decision. Silas Krabill also finished fourth at 165 pounds, going 4–2 with three pins and a tech fall.
At 215 pounds, Sam Bradford posted one of the top performances of the tournament, finishing runner-up after going 4–1 with three pins and a win over a state qualifier, marking the highest individual finish for WLS in recent history.
Additional results included Wyatt Shoemaker (113) going 2–2; Aiyden Moxley (120) finishing 2–2 with a tech fall and a major decision; Kyler Langhardt (138) going 2–2 with two pins; Derek Wall (144) finishing 2–2 with a pin and a tech fall; Robert Park (175) going 2–2 with a pin and a major decision; and Maverick Reames (HWT) finishing 2–2 with a pin.
West Liberty-Salem will host Mechanicsburg on February 10 for Senior Night as the Tigers continue to build momentum heading into league championships and postseason competition.
