BURTON—Five wrestlers from the Chagrin Valley Conference claimed individual tournament championships at the 2019 Badgers Invitational at Berkshire on Saturday.
Berkshire senior James Klingman won the 106-pound title, Chagrin Falls senior Jonathan Mares won at 126, Orange senior Yury Pozdneev took home the 132-pound championship, Chagrin Falls sophomore Sam Partain claimed the 152-pound title and Orange senior Tanner Coker won at 285.
The host Badgers finished in second place as a team with 175 ½ points, just seven behind tournament winner Lakewood.
Berkshire’s other placers included Justin Heiden, who was third at 113, Hunter Gifford (3rd, 138), Josh Brown (5th, 145), Tyler Fien (4th, 152), J.J. Perrin (5th, 170) and Ryan Ford (2nd, 220).
Orange finished seventh as a team with 124 points and four placers.
Pozdneev and Coker both won their respective weight classes for the Lions and Jason Abounader finished second at 138 and Josh Decipeda placed fifth at 195.
“We still have so much work to do as we prepare for the postseason,” Orange coach Adam Kriwinsky said. “I was pleased with how our captains wrestled. Fixing mistakes are key to moving forward and continually improving.”
Cardinal finished in 10th place with six wrestlers among the top six in their respective weight classes including Mike Wojtasik (6th, 113), Austin Strever (5th, 138), Trevor Bachna (6th, 145), Jerry Rose (2nd, 160), Josh Ripley (5th, 182) and John Avalon (2nd, 285).
Led by titlists Mares and Partain, Chagrin Falls placed 12th as a team. Owen McClintock, who was fourth at 170, and Holden Woofter, who finished sixth at 182, also placed for the Tigers.
Edgewood saw two wrestlers finish among the top six including Raymond Braat, who was sixth at 195, and Connor Tack, who finished sixth at 285.
Team Scores
1. Lakewood 182.5
2. Berkshire 175.5
3. Northwestern 170.5
4. Firestone 170.0
5. Smithville 156.0
6. Lake 136.5
7. Orange 124.0
8. Shaker Hts. 113.0
9. Conneaut 107.0
10. Cardinal 103.5
11. Holy Name 90.0
12. Chagrin Falls 86.0
13. St. Ignatius 70.5
14. Edgewood 40.0
