Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

BIDWELL — The best team proved to be just that: a team.

The Panthers used a team effort as they won the Ohio Valley Conference wrestling tri-match over the Fairland Dragons and River Valley Raiders on Feb. 6.

Chesapeake racked up seven individual OVC champions en route to winning the match.

Winning their weight divisions were Logan McCloud at 106 pounds, Sawyer Stephens at 120, Shawn Johnson at 152, Dylan Maynard in the 170-pound division, Nick Lucas at 182 pounds, Jaycob Kitchen in the 220-division and heavyweight Cole Webb.

The team effort helped the Panthers overcome the loss of Joey Haynes, one of their top wrestlers.

“These guys all have a great work ethic and uncompromising commitment to this team,” said Panthers’ coach John Adams.

“These guys really care about and respect each other. They do whatever the team needs them to do.”

Fairland registered five champions as Austin Earls won at 113 pounds, Timmy Emery at 126, Jordan Holmann took the 132-pound class, Clayton Edmonds was the 160 champion and Zach McKinney took the 195-pound title.

“We were short on numbers, but the ones we have wrestled their best matches when it counted at the OVC meet,” said Fairland coach Chuck Wentz.

River Valley winners were Paul Reynolds at 138 pounds and Trae Cornell at 145.

Area wrestlers will participate in the sectional tournament Friday and Saturday. Chesapeake will be in Division III and Fairland will be in Division II.