Wrestlers turn in strong team performance at Tipton Invitational
The PH Wrestling Team captured first place at the Tipton Invitational Saturday, outscoring runner-up North Montgomery High School by 57 points. The team sprinted to an early lead by winning 13 of 14 weight class matches in the first round. The Arabians continued their success in the second round by moving 10 wrestlers to their weight class finals.
Freshman Dylan Jenner, filling in at 189 lbs in his first varsity competition, placed sixth to earn team points. Senior Jasper Moffitt (160) placed fourth on the day. Sophomore Brian Philbert (119), after dropping a tough 7-5 match to the number one seed in the semi-finals, came back with a strong consolation match performance to place third. Junior Cody Stephenson (152) scored a third period fall in his consolation match to also grab third place.
Four Arabians saw their tournament runs end with second place finishes. Junior Larry Whiteley (130) was a winner by a fall in the semi-finals before he dropped a tough decision in the finals. Sophomores Alex Ray (135) and Jake Stilwell (171) each performed very well in the tournament before losing finals matches to #1 seeded wrestlers. Junior Hunter Prol (285) pushed his season record to 12-3 on the way to a runner-up finish.
Six Arabians earned weight class championships on the day. Freshman sensation Zach Wise (103) pushed his season record to 27-3 with a fall in only 44 seconds. Sophomore Mason Todd (112) improved his record to a sterling 29-1 with a first period fall. Sophomore Zach Sanner (140) knocked off both the second and first-seeded wrestlers as he earned a 10-4 win in the championship match. Sophomore Clint Nicholson (145) followed a similar path, defeating the #2 and #1 seeds, including a victory by a 7-3 score in the finals. Junior Kyle Smitherman (215) was totally dominating on the way to an 11-1 decision over the #1 seed in the finals to push his season record to 25-3.
Senior Justin Eshelman (125) controlled previously undefeated Kris Workman of Taylor in the finals 2-0 for his fourth career Tipton Invitational title. The win pushed his season tally to 28-2. Justin was named Wrestler of the Meet by the coaching staff.
After visiting county runner-up Alexandria on Tuesday the Arabians host the Hoosier Heritage Conference Wrestling Championships Saturday in the main gym. Action begins at 8:00 am. State-ranked Yorktown and New Palestine will head the list of team challengers.
Tipton Team Results
1. Pendleton Heights 265
2. North Montgomery 208
3. Clinton Central 138
4. Northwestern (Kokomo) 136
5. Tipton 134
6. Taylor 90.5
7. Sheridan 90
8. Mississinewa 84
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