The McClain Tigers varsity wrestling team is a freshman heavy team, yet they found a way to start out the season with success on Saturday. A runner up team trophy will be added to the trophy case at McClain High School. The Jackson Invitational was a 12 team pool style tournament. Zane Trace, the defending SVC champions, took home the championship trophy, and the host Jackson Ironment got the third place trophy. Rounding out the team standings: 4th (tie) New Lexington B and Vinton County, 6th Unioto, 7th River Valley, 8th Meigs, 9th Adena, 10th Waterford, 11th Wellston, and 12th Trimble.
Leading the way for the Tigers was senior Jake Badgley, (160) winning a championship pinning all five of his opponents. Keegan Rawlins (132) also won his weight class by pinning all three of his opponents. Shane Huff (106) was the runner up. Tanner Tite (126), Sid Wardlow (138), and Ethan Taylor (170) all got third place. The top three in each weight class received individual medals and the champion of each weight class received a tournament t-shirt also. Conner Morarity (120), and Kyler Trefz (152) finished in fourth place. Finishing seventh was Tommy Johnson (145). Johnson is in the 138 pound weight class, but he bumped up to the 145 pound class to fill the empty position to help the team. Johnson went 2-3 on the day and gained valuable team points with those victories. Aaron Kovach (126) and Jon Stoud (160) both entered the tournament as non point scorers and gained valuable varsity experience. Stroud was able to secure one victory and finished in seventh place.
McClain will be back in action next Wednesday at Western Brown High School. They will wrestle matches against Western Brown and New Richmond.
Reach Robert Stegbauer at 937-393-3456 ext. 1679 or on Twitter @RStegbauer.
