Trio of MFL MarMac wrestlers third at tourney

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

Eight MFL MarMac boys wrestlers placed at the Jan. 10 Farr Jebens Invitational at Maquoketa Valley. The effort netted the Bulldogs 95 points and a seventh place team finish.

Heavyweight Will Howes, 150-pound Gavin Kishman and 132-pound Maddox Hanson each placed third at the tournament, while Tacoma Thompson added a fourth place result at 126 pounds. 

Ben Kite (126), Blake Roe (285) and Tristan Hoopes (215) all finished seventh in their respective brackets, and Parker Muras claimed eighth at 120.

Anthony Bunting (150), Christian Escobar (157) and Draven Stuckman (157) did not place.

The tournament followed a big dual week for the Bulldogs, who were 0-4 in an Upper Iowa Conference meet at Crestwood on Jan. 6. 

The team lost 54-24 to Riceville, in a dual highlighted by falls for Howes and Bunting, while Muras won by DQ and Kite on a forfeit. Hanson, Kishman, Escobar and Hoopes were pinned by their Wildcat opponents, and Riceville claimed five victories by forfeit.

In a 60-12 loss to Crestwood, MFL MarMac had another fall from Howes as well as decision wins thanks to Muras and Kishman. Kite, Hanson, Bunting, Escobar and Hoopes lost by fall, and the Cadets tacked on additional points with five forfeits.

Central/Ed-Co bested the Bulldogs 42-21, picking up four wins via forfeit as well as falls against Bunting, Escobar and Stuckman. Howes and Hoopes collected falls for MFL MarMac, while Hanson won a 6-2 decision and Kishman won by forfeit.

The Bulldogs closed out the night in a 48-17 loss to Clayton Ridge. Hanson earned a fall and Kishman a technical fall in the dual, then Howes had a victory by forfeit. The Eagles picked up three wins on forfeits, in addition to falls over Kite, Escobar, Stuckman and Hoopes.

The team continued dual action Jan. 13, in Monona, and will remain at home Jan. 17 for the annual MFL MarMac Invitational.