McClain travels to Jackson to take part in American Legion Post 81 Invitational

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The annual American Legion Post 81 Invitational at Jackson High School saw 13 teams compete on the opening weekend of the wrestling season on Saturday. Bidwell River Valley took home the team championship. Williamsport Westfall was the runner-up and the home school took home the third place trophy. McClain finished in fifth place with two weight class champions, two runners-up, a third, a fourth, and two sixth place finishers.

In what was the best match of the tournament, Keegan Rawlins (152) of McClain was able to defeat returning state qualifier Jonas Proffitt from Westfall by a 6-3 decision in the finals. That is Keegan’s third American Legion Tournament championship in three tries. He went 5-0 on the day, pinning his way to the finals.

Kyler Trefz (182) also started his season off going 5-0 and pinning his way through the tournament, finishing Anthony Parks of Jackson in the finals.

McClain had two weight class runners-up: Quinton Smith (132) and Phil Waters (170). Quinton went 3-1 and Phil went 4-1.

Ethan Taylor (195) went 4-1 and finished in third place. Dawson Jansen (126) finished with a 2-3 record on the day which was good for fourth place.

Nathan Franz (160) got his first career win on his way to finishing 2-3 on the day which was good enough for sixth place. Also getting his first career win was Justin Kegley (182) wrestling as a non point scorer, he finished in 6th place and helped to keep the other teams from gaining those placement points.

Jacob Barton (145) got his first career win and finished at 1-3 on the day. Ryan Slone (220) also picked up his first career win and went 1-2 on the day. Showing a good fighting spirit but unable to get their hands raised in victory were Jake Krafthefer (138), Thomas Retherford (145) wrestling as a non point scorer, Jett Robbins (182) wrestling as a non point scorer, and Kai Borrelli (285).

The Tigers will return to action next Saturday, December 9th. They will be competing at the Jimmy Mac Duals at Bellfontaine High School. This will be a ten team dual meet tournament with each team getting five matches. Besides the home team and the Tigers, the other schools competing will be New Lexington, Canal Winchester, North Union, Urbana, Southeastern, St. Paris Graham, Lima Shawnee, and Winton Woods. These will be McClain’s first dual matches of the year. They have won 80 duals in the past seven seasons during the Coach Paul era.

Shane Paul the head wrestling coach for McClain High School provided this story.

Keegan Rawlins poses with the second and third place finishers on the podium at Jackson High School after winning the 152 pound weight class.
http://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2017/12/web1_Keegan-Rawlins-152-Champ.jpgKeegan Rawlins poses with the second and third place finishers on the podium at Jackson High School after winning the 152 pound weight class.

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