Osgood Journal Sports
January 6, 2009
Milan
Indian wrestlers compete
in annual Connersville Invitational
Gary
Franklin, Sports Writer
The Milan Indian wrestling team posted a 20th place finish amid
the 32 team Spartan Classic Invitational, held at Connersville
High School over the 30 and 31 of December.
The first day's competition resulted in two Indian wrestlers
advancing to the second day rounds after going undefeated .
They were Nathan Haugh at 215# class and Ben Jackson in the
heavyweight class.
Wrestling his way into the second days competition for the Indians
was 189# class wrestler Zak O'Neal. An unexpected fall in his
first match made for a long day of hurry up and wait.
Other Milan wrestlers and their different weight classes of
the first days competition included: Nick Huff @ 119, Austin
Garland @ 125, DJ Rodgers @ 130, Adam Minges @ 135, Cody Marsee
@ 140, Adam Ison @ 145 and Matt Arkenberg @ 171.
During the second days matches, Zak O'Neal earned an overall
tournament 10th place. O'Neal found strong competition in #1
and #3 wrestlers of his class, falling to S. Pollins of Cathedral
High School.
Nate Haugh worked his way to the semi-finals match where he
fell to Aris Allen of Fort Wayne North Side by a mere point.
(Those wrestling would likely attest that their are no mere
points.) During his wrestle back attempt, Haugh managed to defeat
Evansville Reitz' Wimpelberg in a seven round match. (A level
not often required in a match to deem a winner.)
Haugh's outstanding performance earned him the #3 spot for his
weight class in the tournament.
Also earning a no loss path to day two competition for the tribe
was Indian heavyweight Ben Jackson. After a demanding performance
in day one, Jackson was unable to get his jets in gear on day
two.
However he managed to pin South Dearborn wrestler in the wrestle
back to capture the fourth place spot.
Team effort earned the Indians a respectable 20th place finish
of the 32 schools represented. Local neighborhood school, South
Dearborn, managed to take the fourth spot in the tournament.