Tigers go 2-3 at Jimmy Mac Duals
The McClain Tigers traveled north to take part in the third annual Jimmy Mac Duals at Bellefontaine High School this weekend.
This was their first trip to the tournament, as the Jimmy Mac is a 10-team tournament, having two pools of five teams each. McClain wrestled five times, finishing the day with a team record of 2-5.
The Tigers were led by Jason Flowers (138 pounds), going 5-1 on the day.
Gable Smith (195) went 4-1, and Kylee Stroud (113) was 3-0.
Jake Badgley (145), Ethan Paul (160) and Lucas Unger (220) all went 3-2, while Conner Moriarty, (120), Bryce Hatton (170), Kevin Willis (182) and Cam Snyder (285) all went 2-3 and Charlie Davis (132) was 1-4.
MHS had some milestones with Moriarty, Davis, Hatton, Willis and Snyder each earning their first varsity wins of their careers. Badgley and Paul eclipsed the 25-career victory mark, as they both currently have 27 career victories.
As for the tournament, in round one, the Tigers battled the Cougars from Springfield Kenton Ridge. The Cougars are led by senior Preston Bowshier, who is the returning state runner-up at 132 pounds. He is wrestling at 138 pounds this year.
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Bowshier gave Flowers, a junior, his only loss on the day. The Cougars featured another state qualifier from last year, Tyler Sowards, who defeated Badgley at 145 pounds, as the final team score was KRHS 48, McClain 36.
Round two got even tougher for the Tigers as they were pitted against the large school fifth-place state tournament finishers from the state of Kentucky from last year in the Simon Kenton Pioneers. The Pioneers made their trip worthwhile as they defeated the Tigers, 66-12.
In round three, MHS was able to pick up their first team victory of the year against the Cincinnati Taylor Yellow Jackets, winning 45-24.
Round four saw the Tigers face the host Bellefontaine Chieftains. BHS lacked true star power in their lineup, but they did fill every weight class with a solid wrestler, which makes for a tough dual meet team. McClain found this to be too much for their lack of depth and experience, falling by a 63-15 score.
In the fifth round, the crossover round, McClain drew Dayton Thurgood Marshall, with MHS finishing the day on a winning note by a score of 60-12.
MHS looks to get on the winning side at home on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at MHS at 6 p.m. against Adena and Unioto. The varsity, JV and junior high wrestling teams will all be competing in the tri-match.