Blazers compete at Eagle Invite

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EATON —The National Trail Wrestling team competed at Eaton’s Sam Ridder Invitational on Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday Jan. 30.

Leading the way was junior Dylan Hager, who wrestled in the 285 pound weight class and started the tournament with a pin against the fourth seed in his class.

Hager then went on to wrestle a grappler from Northmont and again walked away victorious after pinning his opponent.

Hager fell in the semi-finals to the invitation’s top seed in the 285 weight class, but came back with his third pin of the weekend to make it into the finals before falling to the third seed for a third place finish.

Head coach Mike Eyler was pleased with his junior’s effort.

“For an unseeded wrestler in a tough weight class, that’s exceptional,” Eyler said. “I think it’s very obvious that Dylan is pushing himself and is striving to be the best he can be.”

Donnie Pegg fell in the quarterfinals of the 170 weight class after wrestling well enough in his previous matches to reach the final eight wrestlers.

Pegg defeated Waynesville in his opening match before dropping into the consolation tournament.

Once there, Pegg picked up a victory against Valley View. The match went to the wire with Pegg eventually winning after securing a tight head lock on his opponent.

Pegg fell in the following match to bow out in the quarterfinals.

In the 145 pound weight class, Josh Cook went 1-2 on the weekend. Derek Nugent also went 1-2 in the 106 pound weight class.

“Overall, I was pleased with our showing at the Eaton Invitational. It was a tough field this year, but the experience should really put into perspective what we as a team need to do to build our skills,” Eyler said.

The Blazers hit the mats twice in the upcoming week as the team travels to Monroe on Wednesday, Feb 3, before going to the Covington Duels on Saturday, Feb. 6.

By Austin Schmidt

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Reach Austin Schmidt at 937-683-4062 or on Twitter @aschmidt_RH.

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