New Philadelphia seventh at Big Cat Invitational

New Philadelphia’s boys wrestling team traveled to Canton for the Big Cat Invitational and returned with a seventh-place finish in the 17-team event hosted by Canton South Dec. 27.

Kyle Beaber led the Quakers, placing second at 113 pounds. Beaber dropped an 11-9 decision in the championship match to Landon Green of Alliance. Camden Richardson placed third at 138 after a narrow 6-5 semifinal loss to Brock Bolan of Massillon Perry.

Also reaching the podium for New Philadelphia were Zayne Kozelka (fifth, 175), Evvan Torchik (fifth, 132), Daniel Ayers (sixth, 120) and Kevin Bell-Dinza (sixth, 126). The Quakers totaled 95 points to edge Lake for seventh. Alliance won the team title with 267 points.

In other recent events featuring local teams:

Licking Valley Invitational: Dover placed eighth in the 17-team field at the Jan. 3 invitational won by New Lexington. Frank Ramirez (106) and Patrick Moran (157) finished as runner-up. Brock Reynolds placed fifth at 113.

Newark Catholic Invitational: Newcomerstown finished fifth in the 17-team tournament Dec. 27, totaling 141.5 points, three behind Upper Arlington. The Trojans had no champions but were led by runner-up finishes from Chase Norman (113) and Martin Hernandez (295). Chris Adamik placed third at 132, Marshall Ellis was third at 175, Gage McGinnis finished fourth at 190 and Colton Hudnall placed fifth at 120.

Barnesville Doan Ford Invitational: Claymont won the team championship at the Dec. 19-20 tournament, totaling 232.5 points to hold off host Barnesville (210.5). New Philadelphia finished eighth with 95 points. Claymont crowned individual champions Nash Edwards (113), Daniel McGarr (132), DreVonn Searcy (138), Luke Henry (150) and Kamden Stout (165). Nile Abbuhl (144) was runner-up. Also placing for the Mustangs were Lukas Patterson (third, 106), Quaid Shaw (fourth, 175), Kole Wallace (sixth, 120) and Calvin Edwards (sixth, 190). New Philadelphia received runner-up finishes from Tyler Ulmer (138) and Myles Tyson (190). Beaber placed fifth at 113 and Garrett Kail was sixth at 215.

Tri-Valley Invitational: New Philadelphia’s girls placed fifth in the 32-team tournament Jan. 5. Riley Jones, Easton Miller and Isabella Ramirez were runner-up. Devlin Harrington finished sixth, and Arazelia Ajanel placed seventh.