Two Britton-Hecla wrestlers brought home championships, eight matmen placed in the top six, and the Braves placed sixth as a team in the Faulkton Invitational Tournament held on Saturday.
Ben Suther remained unbeaten at 175, boosting his season mark to 5-0 and claiming his second straight individual championship. Tucker Hardy improved to 6-1 and topped the 190-pound field.
Other placers included Tanner Atkinson, now 5-2, third at 138; Colton Chapin, 5-3, fourth at 175; Max Suther, 5-3, fourth at 215; Lincoln Kilker, 5-3, fifth at 113; Carter Grobe, 4-5, sixth at 132; and Liam Paxton, 2-5, sixth at 285.
The Braves did suffer a loss due to injury last week. Senior standout Bryce Hawkinson injured his shoulder in practice and will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
This week the local grapplers will compete in the Northeast Conference Tournament at Clark on Thursday before taking a 15-day Christmas break.
“It was a good tournament for us against some tough competition but we definitely have a few more things to clean up,” said Coach Josh Hawkinson. “Things we need to work on are kind of a case-by-case scenario. Our bigger guys have to have confidence in their shots and the younger guys are still resorting back to some of their old tendencies.”
Hawkinson has been pleased with his squad’s start to the season and is hoping that continues in the NEC meet on Thursday.
“Every year our goal is to do better than the year before and so far I think we’re accomplishing that,” said Hawkinson. “As a team it stings a little having Bryce out because he is usually good for 20-25 points. Max is also wrestling at 215 and weighs only about 180, while Colton will be at 165 after Christmas but won’t be able to wrestle at that spot in the NEC tourney.”
FOR FULL STATS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL
