By Terry Douglass
terry.douglass@theindependent.com

Despite competing without four wrestlers, Central Catholic managed three medalists and finished ninth with 42.5 points. The Red Hornets, a first-year program with just four wrestlers on their roster, produced two medalists and finished 10th with 29 points.

"It was really tough and we had four of our kids out due to illness and injuries, so we knew there wasn't going to be a team race for us, obviously," GICC coach Marc Starostka said. "We had some quality kids that were out today and it's unfortunate to have them miss this mat time, but we'd rather have them ready for districts.

"They'll be back next week. I think they're all snapping out of it."

Zach Starostka led the way for the Crusaders, placing second at 160 pounds. Teammates Justis Stolz (112) and Bryce Walker (145) added fourth-place finishes for GICC.

"It was very flat today everybody," Marc Starostka said of his team's performance. "It's been a long season for the kids and they're starting to wear down. Now, I guess it's the coach's job to mentally prepare them for the last two weeks."

Smith Center (Kan.) ran away with the team title. The Redmen boasted 13 medalists, including five champions, while outscoring second-place O'Neill 242.5-140.

Adams Central was the top area team, ending third with 139 points. Jake Johnson (130), Alex Rostvet (135) and Richard Coats (160) all claimed individual titles for the Patriots.

Ord placed fourth with 122 points. Chanticleers Seth Smedra (103) and Sean Trampe (112) recorded first-place finishes.

Heartland Lutheran coach Allen Blake said he was reasonably pleased with the way the Red Hornets competed.

"It's a very solid meet with a lot of quality kids in all the brackets," Blake said. "We ran into some tough competition today, but we were able to get two fourth-place medals, so I can't complain too much."

Heartland Lutheran's two medals came from Matt Ellis (119) and Kyle Dibbern (215). Both Red Hornets finished fourth.

"We could stand be a little more aggressive," Blake said. "We're a week away from districts and it's getting to be do or die now, but I feel pretty good about where we're at going into districts."

Crusader Invitational

Team Standings

Smith Center (Kan.) 242.5, O'Neill 140, Adams Central 139, Ord 122, Nebraska Christian 83, Kearney JV 76, Lincoln Christian 74.5, Aquinas 71.5, Grand Island Central Catholic 42.5, Heartland Lutheran 29, Harvard/Clay Center 23, Grand Island JV 20.5, Centura 12, Elkhorn Mount Michael 8.

Championship Matches

103Seth Smedra, Ord, major dec. Ryan Alexander, Adams Central, 9-0.

112Sean Trampe, Ord, dec. Ben Kranda, Aquinas, 4-0.

119Wes Negley, Lincoln Christian, dec. Wpencer Hoever, Ord, 9-3.

125Colt Rogers, Smith Center, major dec. Doug Daro, Aquinas, 13-5.

130Jake Johnson, Adams Central, pinned Matt Peter, O'Neill, 5:59.

135Alex Rostvet, Adams Central, major dec. A.J. Fruchtl, Grand Island JV, 10-2.

140Cody Gartner, O'Neill, default Trevor Rempe, Smith Center.

145Marshall McCall, Smith Center, dec. Nick Lonowski, Adams Central, 2-0.

152Travis Rempe, Smith Center, dec. Blake Augustyn, Ord, 10-4.

160Richard Coats, Adams Central, pinned Zach Starostka, GICC, 4:42.

171Easton Ertz, O'Neill, pinned Jesse Mudd, Smith Center, 1:59.

189Grady Godsey, Smith Center, dec. Mike Swanson, Nebraska Christian, 11-8.

215Kirk Palmer, Smith Center, pinned Jon Ritta, Nebraska Christian, 1:15.

285Adams Smith, Lincoln Christian, pinned Cody Tucker, Smith Center, :46.

Photo Gallery