By Cort Reynolds
The Bluffton High School wrestling team finished a solid fifth at the 14-team Div. III sectional tournament hosted by Van Buren on February 26.
Six Pirates recorded top four finishes to qualify for the district meet next weekend.
Pirate senior Kaden Basil captured the 175 lbs. bracket title with a 3-0 record and two pins. In the title bout, he won a 9-0 decision over Liberty-Benton's Gavin Gillig to improve his record to a sparkling 34-5 this season.
Pirate sophomore Kyle Basil finished second at the 157 lbs. division. He registered three straight pins to reach the title match, where he lost via pin to Van Buren sophomore Collin Wagner. His season record improved to 18-11.
Senior Dustin Mortimer fashioned a 3-1 record to finish third at 150 lbs. He registered two pins, including one in the third-place match pin at 28 seconds over Wyatt Zeigler of Elwood. Mortimer is 17-13 this season.
Pirate freshman Jett Blackburn went 2-2 with a pair of decisions to capture fourth at 132 lbs. His record is 15-10.
At 215 lbs., senior Trent Howard posted a 2-2 mark and lost the third-place bout in a decision. His record is now 19-13.
Junior Isaiah Mikesell also came in fourth at 165 lbs. He posted a 2-2 record with two pins to run his season mark to 11-14.
Elmwood won the sectional team title with 208 points. Liberty-Benton was second, while Bluffton scored 106 to take fifth, right behind Carey (109).
Bluffton top-four placers by weight class:
175
1st: Kaden Basil
157
2nd: Kyle Basil
150
3rd: Dustin Mortimer
132
4th: Jett Blackburn
165
4th: Isaiah Mikesell
215
4th: Trent Howard
Div. III VB Sectional meet team results:
1. 208 points Elmwood
2. 200.5 Liberty-Benton
3. 120 Van Buren
4. 109 Carey
5. 106 Bluffton
6. 94 Hopewell-Loudon
7. 92.5 Arcadia
8. 86 McComb
9. 60 Patrick Henry
10. 56 Cory-Rawson
11. 39 Calvert
12. 15 Pandora-Gilboa
13. 14 Riverdale
14. 0 North Baltimore
The Pirate matmen compete next in the Div. III district event March 4-5 at Troy.
