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.