Christian County had six wrestlers finish in the top two at the Woodford County Wrestling Invitational Saturday in Versailles which helped the Colonels bring home a second place finish.
Niko Bussell was Christian County’s lone champion after he defeated Jefferson City’s Branden Backues 5-0 in the championship match.
Gage Fowler suffered his first loss of the season after advancing through the semifinal round in the 113-pound class. Fowler was forced to use an injury forfeit against Jefferson City’s Gerret Butel in the championship match and finished second.
Ethan Wells brought home his second runner-up finish in as many weeks as he finished second to LaRue County’s Thomas Hoppes in the 126-pound class.
Jakerion Merritt was another Colonel wrestler who finished second as he was runner-up to Woodford County’s Chase Yost in the 132-pound class.
Cameron Coleman continued to show why he is one of the most improved wrestlers in western Kentucky with four consecutive pins to advance to the championship match of the 160-pound class. He lost in the title match 16-4 to Winfield, Ohio’s Jaime Ward.
Antonio Abren was second in the 182-pound match after he secured three pins on his way to the title match. He fell to Harrison County’s Chase Blanton 9-7 in the championship.
In the 145-pound class, Neal Aldridge finished in fifth place, dropping his final match to Harrison County’s Brent Hudgins by a 7-1 decision.
Markus Green continued his comeback from a knee injury last year and picked up a sixth place finish in the 285-pound class.
Percy Anderson finished sixth in the 195-pound class to give the Colonels seven points.
Christian County finished second to Jefferson City, Missouri 234.5 to 206.5. The Colonels were the highest placing team from Kentucky. McCracken County (199) was third, Woodford County (167) fourth, and Apollo (130) was fifth.