Submitted Photo From the left are Youngsville junior high wrestlers Ryker Chase, Tucker Sanford, Collin Havers, Mason Fleming, Ayden Dean and Jacob Battko. Missing from photo are Brenton Myers and Brayden Patch.

YOUNGSVILLE — Youngsville High School played host to the second annual Paul Clough Memorial Junior Varsity/Junior High Tournament last Saturday.

Thirteen different schools were represented at the tournament. In a day with several great matches, Titusville emerged as the overall team champion with 276 points, edging out Commodore Perry, which scored 263 points. Youngsville placed fifth in the team race with 171.5 points. Youngsville’s junior high program had five place winners out of its eight competitors.

At 101 pounds, Jacob Battko started off his day by scoring a win by fall over Trent Thompson of Maplewood. Battko then managed to score another win by fall in the semifinals over Brooklyn Rizzo of North East. In the finals, Battko matched up with teammate Ayden Dean. Battko and Dean battled each other well, but it was Dean who earned the victory by decision.

On the other side of the 101-pound bracket was Ayden Dean. Dean began his day by picking up a fall over Landen Chapman of Kane. In the semifinals, Dean knocked off cross-county rival Garrett Copley of Sheffield by fall to earn a spot opposite Battko in the finals. As stated above, Dean was crowned champion with a decision win over Battko.

At 115 pounds, Brayden Patch looked to build off his successful debut at Corry. Patch opened the tournament with a loss against Ashton Wion of North East. Patch was able to rebound, however, and earn a victory over Walter Trowbridge of Beaty in his first consolation bout. Patch then bowed out of the tournament with a loss to Ben McCormack of Kane in his second consolation bout.

At 130 pounds, Tucker Sanford scored a fall over Karmyn Blystone of Union City in his first bout of the day. Sanford then lost by fall to eventual champion Trevor Greer of Titusville in the semifinals. Sanford dropped his consolation semifinal match by fall to Gavin Reynolds of Maplewood to drop down to the fifth- and sixth-place match. Sanford was able to end his day on a high note as he scored a win by fall over Logan Anthony of Union City to place fifth.

At 138 pounds, Brenton Myers had a tough draw in his opening bout in the form of Kane Gregor of Union City. Myers was unable to overcome Gregor’s offense and lost by fall. In his consolation bout, Myers lost by decision to Braedon Ayers of North East.

Also at 138 pounds, Mason Fleming started off his tournament with a fall over Kobe Zaffino of Beaty. In the semifinals, Fleming was able to pick up another win by pin, this time over Gavin Carter of Titusville. In the finals, Fleming matched up with Kane Gregor of Union City. In a very close bout, Gregor edged Fleming by a score of 2-0.

At 145 pounds, Collin Havers found himself in a six-man round robin. Havers started off by winning by fall over Michael Klark of Eisenhower. In his next bout, Havers was bested by decision in a close match with returning state medalist John McGuigan of North East. Havers finished his tournament strong, winning his final three bouts, two by fall, to finish as the runner up.

At 170 pounds, Ryker Chase picked up his first victory of the season by pinning Dehklund Conklin of Beaty. Chase then dropped his quarterfinal bout by fall to eventual champion Teegan Perrin of Titusville. Chase bowed out of the tournament with a loss by fall to Tanner Wolfkiel of Titusville in his first consolation bout.

“Overall, the boys looked pretty good. We have some areas to shore up, but it was a pretty decent day all together” said Coach Tim Suydan “I was happy to see Ryker pick up his first win of the season. He had a big grin coming off the mat. Jake and Ayden looked tough. They have been pushing each other in the room and it’s paying off. Both Mason and Collin wrestled tough despite coming up just short in close matches against great opponents. They’ll see those kids again before the season is over, so hopefully we can change the result in the next go-round. Brayden and Brenton are trending in the right direction despite not placing. They wrestled hard and didn’t quit. Last, but not least, Tucker continues to show a lot of resilience despite being a younger seventh grader wrestling tough opponents. He maintains a good attitude regardless of the outcome and isn’t afraid of being challenged.”

The Eagles will be back in action Wednesday in their home opener against Warren. Junior high will start around 6 p.m. and varsity will start around 7 p.m.