ELGIN — The Pope John Wrestling Invitational annually draws some of the best wrestlers in the state.
Such was the case again Saturday as 19 schools competed into early evening to crown champions.
Elgin Public-Pope John had four wrestlers compete. Two of them reached the championship round.
Freshman Logan Henn had his best performance of the season, winning the 106-pound division, defeating Alejandro Martinez of Elkhorn Valley in the finals. Finishing third was Dominque Rickard of Plainview while Bryson Bovee of Pender took fourth.
Teammate Andrew Fangman, wrestling at 152 pounds, also reached the finals. There, he faced Riley Dugan of Central Valley. On this day, Dugan bested Fangman, as the Wolfpack junior finished in second place. Placing third was Peter Gubbels of Plainview while Ryan Smith of Riverside took fourth.
At 120 pounds, Wolfpack wrestler Geoffrey Carr pinned Chase Tate of Nebraska Christian to highlight his day on the mats.
Wrestling at 145 pounds, Ryan Pelster was 2-2 on the day with one pin.
Randolph won the team title with 130 points followed by Plainview 129.5, Cross County/Osceola 86, Palmer 84.5, Pender 83, Central Valley 78.5, West Holt 66, Clearwater-Orchard 65, Nebraska Christian 62, Elkhorn Valley 59.5, EPPJ 51, North Central 47.5, Pleasanton 42, St. Mary’s 30, Hartington CC 21, GACC 17, Fullerton 8, Riverside 5 and LHF 2.
