West Holmes wrestling is coming off one of their top performances of the season at the 52nd annual Marion Harding Classic on Dec. 29 and 30, with seven of nine grapplers placed in the event to help lead the Knights to a fifth place finish out of 37 teams.

Lakewood St. Edward won the meet with 241 points, followed by Port Clinton with 170, Liberty Center with 166.5, Highland with 156.5 and then the Knights with 146.5 points.

“This tournament had a little bit of everything for everyone,” Coach Scott Vaughn said in the West Holmes wrestling newsletter. “Our high level wrestlers certainly got pushed and our younger wrestlers had winnable matches. I think the biggest thing I take away from this weekend is that we have drastically improved since wrestling last, at Waynedale. The mantra is to always constantly be improving.”

Hunter McCluggage and Grant Miller were runners up in the 150 pound and 215 pound weight classes respectively. Placing fourth was Grady Toye and Cole Porter in the 126 pound and 175 pound class. Loudon Dixon was fifth in the 144 pound class, while Cam McCluggage and Dylan Sours were sixth in the 157 pound and 190 pound class.

To get to the gold medal match, Hunter McCluggage beat Anthony LaVerdiere of Bexley 6-2 and Miller defeated Colton Moskal of Sullivan Black River by a fall at 2:36. It was the fourth straight win by pin for Miller.

McCluggage, the number two seed, then faced the top seeded Jackson Bartels of Liberty Center, in what was a battle that went to 3-3 at the end of regulation. McCluggage ended up losing on a takedown in the extra period, losing 5-3.

Miller was the number three seed and faced fifth seeded Dagan Meyers of Port Clinton in the final mach, but was taken down on a fall.

“Hunter and Grant wrestled well making it to the finals,” said Coach Vaughn of his two finalists. “Both of them had winnable matches. Hunter lost in OT to a returning state placer and two-time state qualifier. Hunter is improving each week and gaining more confidence in what he can do. Grant dominated on his way to the finals. In the finals he found himself a kid that didn't mind going upper-body. I think he got a little out of his game plan and got thrown. He will learn from this and move on.”

Vaughn said that Toye wrestled well up until the semifinals, where he lost 11-2 to Musa Jalloh of Gahanna Lincoln. However, Vaughn liked that he came back in the consolation semifinals with a win. Vaughn added that Porter was very impressive, and he praised the way they have been progressing.

“Cole may have had the best tournament, start to finish, that I've seen out of him,” said Coach Vaughn of Porter.  “He is moving really well and getting out of situations that, in the past, he would get stuck in. Both Cole and Grady are gaining confidence and improving.”

Dixon succumbed to being in what Vaughn said was the “toughest and deepest weight class in the tournament.” He had a see-saw battle and loss to Cael Gilmore of Highland, followed by a consolation round fall to Brock Durbin of Ashland Mapleton.

“In the consolation semifinals, he lost a tough match to a returning state runner-up (Durbin),” said Vaughn. “You could tell he was unhappy and took that out on his opponent in the fifth place match. I know he is motivated to get back to work this week.”

Coach Vaughn said that the first day of the meet the team was on fire, with eight wrestlers heading to the semifinals. The second day was more difficult, which he expected, and it was clear there was more the team needs to work on.

“We finished with three rough rounds,” Vaughn said. “That made me leave the tournament in a sour mood. Cleaning up little mistakes can turn some of these losses to wins.”

Next up is a home dual meet on Jan. 3 against Indian Valley High School.