CINCINNATI — The Preble Shawnee wrestling team took home the Charlie Moore Invitational Championship at Reading High School on Saturday, Jan. 16, after sending seven wrestlers to the semi-final round in their respective weight classes.
The Arrows had two champions. Camron Neal took home the 106 pound trophy and Kole Monebrake took home first in the 120 pound weight class.
Neal earned first place after a 14-8 decision in the finals against Jarret Reid of Mason. Monebrake took home first place after a 7-2 decision against Jordan Eslick of Madison. Both wrestlers went undefeated on the day with Neal recording one pin and Monebrake recording two.
Overall the Arrows sent seven wrestlers to the semi-final round, something head Coach Jake Follick said was key to the overall team championship.
The Arrows also earned three second place finishes on the day, as Steven Carter, Kolton Dillion and Alex Steele all finished second.
Carter, in the 126 pound weight class, finished second after falling to Dan Robbins of Reading in the finals by a 14-0 decision. Carter defeated Sayre Stejback and Joey Putnam by pin in the previous two rounds.
Dillion, 182, also fell in the finals to Baden Pinson of Reading by a score of 12-4. Dillion defeated Devin Barkley and Jeremy Beamer by decisions in his first two matches.
Steele finished second, also falling in the finals to his opponent, Ricky Brayton of Kings, by pin. Steele earned three pin victories prior to falling in the finals, defeating Chase Jordan of Greenview in 42 seconds, Derek Cableadden of Mason in 37 seconds and Otis Strawder of Lockland in 1 minute, 50 seconds.
One boost the Arrows received was from transfer Tanner Claybaker, who participated in his first match of the season after sitting out due to transfer rules. Claybaker, who entered the tournament unseeded, finished third after falling to Gunnar Dawson of Madison by a 9-0 decision in the second round.
Claybaker battled his way back to a third place finish after earning pin victories in the 170-pound weight class in his final two matches.
Mason Williams also continued to wrestle well by earning third place in the 220 pound weight class. Williams fell in the second round to Nick Svarda of Madison by pin. Williams then defeated Corey Frank of Reading by pin before defeating Isaiah Harding of Greenview by decision and Jordan Harper of Mason by pin in 19 seconds for a third place finish.
In total, 10 of the 12 Arrow wrestlers at the meet placed and earned points in what Follick described as a true team victory.
“I knew we would be a top team,” Follick said. “But I didn’t know if we would have enough for Madison or Reading.”
Rounding out the placers for the Arrows was Travis Tatum, who finished fourth in the 132-pound division, Tanner Crabtree, who finished fourth in the 195-pound weight division and Kage Worley, who finished sixth in the 113-pound weight division.
“It was a good week and this was a good result for us,” Follick said, noting the victory came at a good time in the season. “We go to Bellbrook this week before the state duals so it’s time for us to get serious.”
Preble Shawnee goes to Bellbrook for the Super Tri-Meet on Thursday, Jan. 21.
