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Indian Creek wrestling captures Rick Link Invitational title

MORRISTOWN — Indian Creek captured the 18th annual Rick Link Invitational pool wrestling tournament Saturday night inside ‘The Hangar’ at Union Local High School. The Redskins piled up 258.5 points to easily outdistance runnerup Indian Valley, which finished with 203.

“We knew we had a pretty good squad coming back this year, but we also knew there was going to be some good competition here,” Indian Creek head coach Brandon Pendleton said. “Our guys wrestled well today and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Redskins had three individual champions in Ellie Paterra (106), Miles Mazik (145) and Logan Wilson (160). They also had a trio of runnerups and two third-place finishers. Paterra made tournament history as she became the first female titlist.

Also securing three titlists was Shadyside, which ended up sixth in the team race despite a depleted lineup after winning the event last year.

Seniors Greg Quinn and Josh Kahl prevailed at 120 and 138, respectively, while sophomore sensation Jaxson Muldrew won at 126 and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler by a vote of the head coaches.

Muldrew, a returning Division III state qualifier, dominated Indian Valley’s Dalton Burcher, 7-1. Burcher placed eighth in the state at 106 last winter, but trailed 2-1 after one period and 4-1 at the end of two.

Quinn, a three-time state placer and returning runnerup, led Indian Valley’s Brady O’Connor 11-1 in the second period before recording a pin in 3:41. It was Quinn’s fourth Rick Link championship.

Kahl, who has battled injuries throughout his career, earned a 10-1 major decision over Indian Creek’s Mitch Wukelic. Kahl led 4-1 after two minutes and controlled the match from there.

“I’m proud of all three kids,” Shadyside head coach Sean Grinch said of his champions. “We were wrestling without seniors Donnie Meadows and Billy Johnson due to injuries, and we had two other kids get hurt today.”

Shadyside also had a trio of fourth-place finishers.

Other champions included Bellaire’s Joseph Bonfini (113); Indian Valley’s Adam Lenhoff (132); Edison’s Mark Johns (152); Buckeye Local’s Jason Binkiewicz (170); Philo’s Kolt Moore (182) and Gage Swartz (220); Madonna’s Donavan Kirby (195); and Linsly’s Gage Giovengo (285).

In addition to Binkiewicz, Buckeye Local’s Jordyn Spencer placed fourth at 106 to also make tournament history as a female placewinner.

The host Jets had three runnersup, a third and a fourth, while Barnesville had two placewinners. Linsly added a third-placer.

Warren Local was third as it nipped Union Local by 1.5 points. Madonna was fifth, followed by Shadyside, Buckeye Local, Crestview, Edison and Philo to round out the top 10.

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