Jay Co., six wrestlers roll at first invite

NEW PALESTINE — The Patriots quickly found success in their first dual matches of the season.

After the first invitational, they ought to feel the same way on the trip home.

The Jay County High School girls wrestling team earned the top spot of 25 teams at the New Palestine Invitational on Saturday and six of its wrestlers earned the top spot in their brackets.

The Patriots finished with a total of 230.5 points, putting them 26.5 ahead of runner-up Franklin Central.

Of the Patriots’ champions, three won all of their matches by fall. Mallory Winner wrestled a total of 2 minutes, 12 seconds, to take down the three opponents between her and the 170-pound bracket title.

Freshmen Brenna Ruble (115 weight class) and Amara Crawford (190) also earned top spots with pins. Ruble put Seymour’s Kelsie Napier on her back in 1:34, while Crawford pinned Sophia Jones of FCHS in 3:37.

While they needed a decision or major decision to get to the title match, Lina Lingo and Tatianna Willis both put opponents on their backs for the crown. Lingo beat Lillian Kissel of New Palestine in 1:05 for the 135 title, while Willis got Aaniyah Jeffers of North Central to fall in 3:28.

Katie Rowles earned falls leading up to the 100 championship but claimed the title over Perry Meridian’s Aniah Delgado with a 16-0 technical fall.

Reagan VanSkyock (145) and Emily Manor (140) both finished as the runner-up in their respective brackets, while Allison Tipton (125) and Maleah Parsons (145) both came in fourth.

Wrestlers that won their first match but failed to place were:

•Sophie Thomas in the 120 weight class

•Maddie Gage in the 155 weight class

•Haley Ridenour in the 170 weight class

The Patriots will head to Muncie Central on Thursday for a dual-meet.