The ACGC wrestling team braved the elements to participate in the John J. Harris Invitational in Corning on Saturday. The trek was worth it as three grapplers made the final round in their respective weight classes.
Senior Blaine Beeler (120), who reached the championship match last year, returned once again this year. After receiving a bye in the first round, Beeler defeated Nodaway Valley’s Jaxon Christensen and Creston-Orient-Macksburg’s Kaden Bolton by pin fall to reach the title round. Unfortunately for Beeler, he came up one point short of the title once again, coming up on the short end of a 2-1 decision to Atlantic’s Joe Weaver.
Sophomore Gunnar Larsen (132) also made the championship match. Like Beeler, Larsen received a bye in the first round, and defeated wrestlers from Nodaway Valley and Creston-Orient-Macksburg in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively to reach the final bout. Larsen suffered a pin fall defeat in the championship to Winterset’s Kruise Kiburz to earn 2nd place honors.
Senior Ben Kingery (195) was the other Charger to reach the championship round. Kingery’s first match came in the quarterfinals where he defeated Sam Olson of Griswold by fall. In a tightly contested semifinal round, Kingery edged Southwest Valley’s Bryson Rhamey by a 10-8 decision. In the championship bout, the senior fell to Clarinda’s Crew Howard in the 2nd round by pin.
Seniors Easton Benson (138) and Gabe Rowley (145) also finished in 3rd for the gold and black. The team finished in 5th place with 120 points. To see full results, click on the link below: