Montague came away with what coach Kris Maddox termed an unexpected championship Saturday at the Ravenna Invitational, scoring 205 points to edge Kent City by six.
"I didn’t think we were in
the position to fight for one this year, but the kids are starting to buy
into our program and grow from the lessons we are learning," Maddox said. "It will be
exciting to see what this group of kids can accomplish over the next few
years. The potential is there if they want to put the work in."
Whitehall and Reeths-Puffer sent B team rosters to the meet, and the Vikings finished fourth with the Rockets in seventh.
Montague had six wrestlers reach the finals in their weight classes, with three champions: Kaiden Jeffery (144 pounds), Fletcher Thommen (150) and Malachi Plunkett (175).
Jeffery eked out an overtime win over Kent City's Jayden Loomis-Sandison in the finals to cap his day, which also included a pin, a technical fall and a major decision. Thommen scored two pins and a major decision to win the title, and Plunkett dominated with three wins by pin and one by technical fall. Maddox added that he loved watching Plunkett celebrate with his dad, who turned 50 that day.
"You
know it’s a moment they will share and remember for years to come," Maddox said.
Taking second place were Brock Hunter (120), Maverick Osborne (285) and Isaac French (190). Michael Jones added a third-place finish at 157.
"It was a complete team effort today and each wrestler contributed to
our championship," Maddox said. "I am extremely proud of our effort and attitude...There were a lot of tough
matchups and wins that were won by our effort and grit."
Colton Kyser led the Viking B teamers with a second-place finish at 150. Whitehall third-place finishers were Pablo Lugo (175), Jason Sheaffer (132), Robert Belinger (106) and Isaac O'Boyle (113).
Reeths-Puffer's B team had three finalists. Micah Mills took first place at 106, scoring a technical fall and a pin, and Clay Rozycki (113) and Marcus Moore (126) each finished second.
Also for Montague, Anthony Hayt finished second in the 215-pound B bracket.
