Fresh off an OVAC title, River Pilot Josh Bartrug won his 103 pound weight division in the River Wrestling Tournament and was voted the Most Outstanding Wrestler by his peers, Jan. 30 at River High School.

Bartrug’s victory, along with Devin Tallbott and Troy Haslam’s, gave the Pilots enough points for a third place finish behind the champions, Brooke Bruins, and runner-up Bellaire Big Reds.

Other Pilots earning awards include Journey Wayts, J.D. Dotson, and Nate Schultheis, all with third place finishes.

Magnolia finished in sixth place in the nine-team tournament. Jason Long captured first in the 189 weight class, while Gage Deem, Daniel Mateer, and James Long each placed third in their respective weight classes for the Eagles.

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The Magnolia wrestling team hosted a tri-match with Brooke and Tyler Consolidated on Jan. 27 at the HammerDome, with the Blue Eagles cashing in only one win, by Devon Phillips, in a 69-3 loss to the Brooke Bruins.

However, the Eagles’ Eric Estep was ahead of his Brooke opponent before getting injured and had to forfeit. The Bruins faced Tyler in the second match and won, 57-21.

In the final match, Magnolia lost to Tyler, 39-31. There were double forfeits in the 103 and the 119 pound weight classes. But, the Silver Knights’ 112 pounder, John Brosky, outscored Evan Cross 18-6 to gain the nod. The Eagles’ Trevor Long pinned Tom Keller in 1:37.

Phillips outscored Joe Henthorn 11-1 for his second victory of the night in the 130 weight division. Blue Eagles Gage Deem and Sean Heslop each won their matches, while Joey Ingold received a forfeit to give the Eagles the lead.

But, the Knights’ Nate Taylor, Brody Northcraft, and Brandon Grimes each won their respective eight class matches over Zack Stoneking, Daniel Mateer ,and Curtis Tedrow.

The Knights won the match with forfeits in the 189, 215, and 285 weight divisions.