Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ASHLAND, Ky. — The Chesapeake Panthers’ wrestlers have been losing a lot of different numbers this season, but they added one big number at the Ashland Invitational.

Having lost numbers from their roster and matches from their schedule, the Panthers saw an upswing when all nine wrestlers placed to help produce the team championship on Saturday.

Chesapeake had three individual champions, four runners-up, a third-place finish and a fourth-place finish.

“There aren’t as many of us as there were, but there is a lot of fight left in the guys that are still here,” said senior Logan McCloud, one of the team captains and a second-place finisher in the 106-pound class.

“Our numbers have gotten smaller, but our determination hasn’t. Tonight showed that. I am proud of that and this group.”

Earning the top plateau on the podium with first-place finishes were John McFarland at 195 pounds, Jaycob Kitchen in the 220-pound class, and Cole Webb took the heavyweight division.

Joining McCloud in second-place were Hunter Adkins at 126 pounds, Jeremy Webb at 132 and Joey Haynes in the 145-pound class.

Hunter Davis was third in the 182 class, but he just missed a higher finish after losing by one-point in double overtime in his semifinal match. Noah Wallace was fourth in the 152-pound division.

“I am very proud of every one of them who wrestled. I can see them improving almost daily,” said coach John Adams.

The Panthers will now join Fairland and River Valley in the Ohio Valley Conference Tri-Match at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Fairland.

Chesapeake will wrestle in the Winfield Invitational Saturday and host the 10-team Panther Invitational at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.

“We had a rough start to the season, but this win is a great way to pick up momentum going into the post-season. That’s what it’s all about. It was a great win for us at a great time in the season. I am really proud of these guys,” said Haynes, also a team captain.

The sectional tournament is Feb. 14-15 at Alexander.