HAWKINSON TOURNEY CHAMP

          Britton-Hecla’s Bryce Hawkinson won the 144-pound championship and three other local matmen finished among the top six in a tournament held in Faulkton on Saturday.

          Tucker Hardy earned the runner-up spot at 285 pounds, Ben Suther was fourth at 165, and Lincoln Kilker placed sixth at 106.

          The Braves hosted their only home meet of the season last week Tuesday, dropping a 60-21 decision to Clark-willow Lake and falling 48-30 to Redfield.  Hawkinson and Dashel Davidson recorded pins and Ben Suther a hard-fought decision in the C-WL duel, and Kilker and Tanner Atkinson earned pins against Redfield.

          This week Coach Josh Hawkinson’s squad will compete in the Northeast Conference tournament on Thursday in Milbank to wrap up its pre-

Christmas schedule.

          “We were down on numbers for the triangular with some sickness and injuries,” said Hawkinson.  “It would have been nice to wrestle it at full force.  But it was awesome to wrestle in front of a big home crowd.  It was great having the gym that loud.  The kids and us coaches noticed!

          “On Saturday I saw some improvement,” added Hawkinson.  “I thought a few of the boys are starting to turn it up a bit on the mat and it shows.  Hopefully, we will return back to full force after Christmas and continue the year injury-free.”