The Jonathan Alder wrestling team recently won the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trails Division title.
The Pioneers took third place overall at the meet with a score of 143 points. They finished behind Benjamin Logan (154.5) and Graham (275.5).
North Union also competed at the meet. NU placed eighth overall with a team score of 66 points.
The Wildcats were third in the Mad River Division.
The Pioneers had three wrestlers make it to the championship round – 106-pounder Reece Chapman, Josh Proper (120) and Michael Boggs (195).
Chapman lost a 6-3 decision to Brady Fischer of London. Proper dropped a 4-3 verdict to Jayden Sturgell of Benjamin Logan and Boggs lost a 10-7 decision to Garrett Gross of Bellefontaine.
The remaining Pioneers finished as follows:
-113: Xavier Pierce, third, won by a 13-3 major decision;
-126: Eli Trbovich, fifth, won by a 9-8 decision;
-132: Oliver Byerly, fifth, won by pin fall in 36 seconds;
-152: Carson Griener, fifth, won by pin fall in 2:50;
-160: Brendon Liford, sixth, lost a 16-7 major decision;
-220: Andrew Richey, sixth, lost by pin fall in 14 seconds;
-285 Damon Hay, third, won by pin fall in 1:53.
The Wildcats had several wrestlers make it to the third-place bout.
They were Trace Williams (106), 113-pounder Casey Clark, Alec O’Reilly (195) and 220-pounder Kane Beltz.
Williams lost a 15-7 major decision to Kade Thomas of Benjamin Logan to take fourth place. Clark lost a 13-3 major decision to Pierce to take fourth. O’Reilly lost by pin fall to Evan Lykins of Graham for fourth place and Beltz took fourth after losing by a pin fall to Matthew Creamer of Benjamin Logan.
The remaining Wildcat placers finished as follows:
-132: Ethan Wagy, sixth, lost by pin fall in 36 seconds;
-170: Syler Cowgill, fifth, won by an 8-5 decision.
Both teams will start their post-season tournaments at sectional meets on Saturday.
Jonathan Alder will travel to Licking Valley to compete in the Division II Central District Sectional Tournament were it will compete in all 14 weight classes.
Fairbanks will compete in the Division III Central District tournament at Ridgedale High School.
The Panthers will be represented in 10 of the 14 weight classes. North Union will also be represented at the D III tournament at Ridgedale competing in 13 of the weight classes.
Triad will travel to Lehman Catholic to compete in the Division III Southwest District Sectional Tournament.