The ACGC wrestling squad opened up 2018 individual action with five of the six Chargers finishing in the top three at the Crusader Invitational in Coon Rapids, Saturday.

Seth Danker (106) received a quarterfinal bye and defeated Panorama’s Logan Christe by fall (0:59) to advance to the finals. Riverside Oakland’s Mick Schroder defeated Danker in the championship match by fall (0:25). Danker is now 21-6 on the season and scored 20 points with his 2nd place finish.

Gunner Larsen (113) was the only Charger to win his respective weight class. Larsen won all of his matches by fall after just over a minute. Larsen is now 9-2 on the season, and defeated South Central Calhoun’s Ayden Toms to claim 1st place and 26 points for the Chargers.

Blaine Beeler (120) defeated Panorama’s Wyatt Clark by fall (0:52) to advance to the semifinals. However, CR-B’s Peyton Clipperton used the home mat advantage to come away with a close victory by an 8-6 decision. Beeler rebounded, making it to the 3rd place match where he defeated Cael Carl by fall (2:56). Beeler is now 22-6 on the season and picked up 17 points with the 3rd place finish.

Easton Benson (126) and Gabe Rowley (138) also finished 2nd in their respective weight classes. Benson returned from injury to defeat CR-B’s Kegan Cilliers and WCV’s Justin Garcia by fall to advance to the championship. In the 1st place match, Panorama’s Danny Nordquist got the better of Benson, defeating the junior by an 8-0 major decision. Rowley received a quarterfinal bye and defeated Riverside, Oakland’s Reid Chambers by fall (3:07) to advance to the 1st place match. Another Panther defeated Rowley, as Noah Kirtley handed Rowley his first loss of the season via a 9-6 decision. Benson improves his record to 15-2, while Rowley is now at 7-1.  Both wrestlers scored 20 points for the Chargers.

The team finished in 6th overall with a total of 103 points, while Panorama won the invitational with 242.5 points.