Filling only half of the weight classes, the Marion High School wrestling team grappled good enough to grasp second place out of 16 teams Saturday at Hesston.
The Warriors scored 126 team points narrowly edging out Chaparral by 1 point, and losing to Hesston by only a 14-point gap.
Coach Tyler McMichael said he was excited to see how the team would perform in a tournament setting.
“We only had seven guys, and they all fought extremely hard to keep us in the running of winning it,” McMichael said. “I think a second place finish with only seven guys really shows the hard work that the team has been giving in the practice room. Three champs, two runner-ups, and a fourth place medal to finish the day was awesome.”
Jarrett Johnson, Bryce Shults, and Noah Albin each went undefeated to win their tournament brackets.
Johnson received a bye and pinned three opponents to become the 132-pound champion.
Shults received a bye and pinned three opponents to win the 138-pound bracket.
Noah Albin won the 152-pund bracket with a bye, two pins, and a decision in the finals.
Charlie Nordquist, a 182-pounder, and 195-pounder Tyler Palic each placed second.
Nordquist received a bye, won by decision, and major decision twice, while Palic received a bye, pinned two opponents, and was pinned in the finals.
Ethan Darnall received a bye, lost by decision, pinned two opponents, won once by injury default, and was pinned in the finals to place fourth at 120 pounds.
The Warriors wrestle at home at Friday in the Marion County duals tournament.