Blue Jays crown 4 champions

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The Jamestown High School wrestling team did some damage at the Valley City Invite on Saturday.

The Blue Jays crowned four champions en route to third place with 170 points. They were in second place until Grand Forks Central won four of the last five weight classes to finish second with 175.5 points. Fargo North won the team title with 181 points.

Winning individual titles for Jamestown was Paxton Mewes (113), Jaden Horsted (132), Zane Braun (152) and Eathan Gumke (182).

Mewes cruised by Grand Forks Central's Tyler Keener by 9-1 decision, and Horsted pinned Aberdeen's Bradley Nelson in 3 minutes, 26 seconds.

Braun continued his solid season, pinning Wahpeton's Michael Lehmann in 5:41. Gumke made quick work in his title match, pinning Valley City's Jordan Magnuson in 1:05.

Horsted, Gumke and Braun each logged three pins on the day.

"That's a nice way to have your day," JHS coach Greg White said. "We went 4-for-4 in the finals. I'll take that any time."

The Blue Jays had three fourth-place finishers in Brandyn Harr (160), Caleb Ellingson (170) and Kyle Anderson (220). Mark Reynolds (285) and Triston Shipley (195) took fifth. For injury reasons, they were without the services of Ryan Hillerud, Mitch Ova and Cullen Goter.

"We're really feeling good about the way we're wrestling," White said. "I'm just disappointed that were not able at any time to put it all on the mat together. We'll try to keep everybody healthy and be ready to wrestle. We do that, and we're gonna win some duals."

Carrington, which placed ninth with 64 points, saw wrestlers Keenan Kvamme (120) and Bradee Schroeder (285) finish second. Bryce Carr (113) earned third place.

The Blue Jays have a double dual with Minot and Williston on Friday in Minot, set for 7 p.m. The Blue Jays need to be perfect the rest of the way to sneak into the state dual tournament. They have duals remaining with Bismarck St. Mary's, Minot, Williston, Dickinson and Mandan, but have reason for optimism as they recently gave powerhouse Bismarck High a good battle. The Blue Jays beat Minot in a dual at the Sertoma tournament in Grand Forks.

"We have to beat everybody the rest of the way out," White said. "We'll start with Minot and Williston Friday and roll from there."

See scoreboard for results.

Sun sportswriter Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jays, wrestling