By MIKE HUTSELL
JEFFERSONVILLE — Host Jeffersonville exceeded its own expectations Saturday as it placed second overall in the Jeffersonville Wrestling Classic.
Local power Jennings County claimed its fourth consecutive title in the annual event, but the Red Devils made some noise by scoring in 12 weight classes and picking up one individual winner — senior Evon Russell at 119 pounds.
“We finished higher than we were seeded,” said Jeffersonville coach Danny Struck. “When that happens, you can’t help but be pleased as a coach. We may have done better than some thought we would do, but we also did what we all felt we were capable of.”
Russell rolled through his four matches, beating Saint Xavier’s Nick Norwood by fall in the final. He also scored a 4-3 win over New Albany rival John Maymon in the semis as he extended his overall win streak to 21 on the season.
“Beating the guy from New Albany was a big highlight,” said Russell. “I had beaten him earlier, but I think he felt like he could come back and beat me here. I sort of made a statement with that win.”
Jeff also placed two others in the finals, but each wound up as runners-up in their division. Andrew Logsdon lost his final to Jennings’ Vince Jackson at 152, and Jake Gibson was beaten by fall in the final of 275 by Batesville’s Matt Krieger.
“Neither one of those guys were seeded to make finals, so by getting there they really showed something,” said Struck. “Jake only five matches last year, and he’s already up to 19 wins on the season this year.”
New Albany finished the day in fourth place and placed three grapplers in the final — winning two. Kirk Moore won at 103 and Mitch Riley was able to claim the top spot at 130 by beating Southwestern’s Michael Harmon by decision, 9-8. At 112, Terry Hubblard fell by fall to Southwestern’s Michael Bartlett.
Another local team that made a strong showing was Charlestown, which was fifth overall and just five points behind the Bulldogs for fourth.
The Pirates put three in the finals, winning one as senior Justin Householder picked up his first career Jeff Classic title with a 6-3 decision over Rudy Keller of Providence in the finals at 135.
Householder trailed 3-2 with nine seconds to go, but scored a quick takedown late to score the win.
“It’s big. Winning Jeff Classic was a big goal for me this year,” Householder said.
The Pirates’ two second-place finishes came from Brandon Balmer (103) and Darrell LaFountain (145).
“We were third most of the day in the standings and wound up fifth and I’m still pretty thrilled with that,” said Charlestown coach Tom Kendrick. “We were able to score at all 14 spots today and — more than anything — that gets me excited as a coach.”
Providence placed ninth with Keller’s second-place effort its top showing. New Washington was 16th and did not place anyone in the finals.
JEFF CLASSIC
Team scores — Jennings County 218, Jeffersonville 174 1/2, Southwestern 161 1/2, New Albany 156, Charlestown 151, South Dearborn 140, Madison 125, St. Xavier 116, Providence 111, Seymour 107, Oldham County 99 1/2, Paoli 78, Lawrenceburg 75, Scottsburg 74 1/2, Batesville 67, New Washington 10
Individual results
103 — 1. Moore (NA), 2. Balmer (Ctown), 3. Dunham (JC), 4. Youngblood (M)
112 — 1. Bartlett (SW), 2. Hubblard (NA), 3. Mooney (P), 4. Calloway (Ctown)
119 — Russell (J), 2. Norwood (X), 3. Maymon (NA), 4. Stopher (Ctown)
125 — 1. Warner (OC), 2. Wills (JC), 3. Woodrome (NA), 4. Stopher (Ctown)
130 — 1. Riley (NA), 2. Harmon (SW), 3. Warren (P), 4. Baines (X)
135 — 1. Householder (Ctown), 2. Keller (Prov), 3. Schroeder (SW), 4. Conway (Sey)
140 — 1. Hampton (SD), 2. Bennett (JC), 3. Forbis (NA), 4. Bruther (SW)
145 — 1. Coffey (L), 2. LaFountain (Ctown), 3. Matlock (Sey), 4. Terrell (P)
152 — 1. Jackson (JC), 2. Logsdon (J), 3. Stephens (P), 4. O’Neal (Sey)
160 — 1. Brewer (JC), 2. Clark (M), 3. Cook (Prov), 4. Dorsey (Jeff)
171 — 1. Fish (M), 2. Lockard (JC), 3. Cunningham (J), 4. Coots (X)
189 — 1. Wenninger (OC), 2. Simpson (Sburg), 3. Mullins (Sey), 4. Bonner (J)
215 — 1. Edwards (JC), 2. Dahline (SD), 3. Johnson (M), 4. Schenck (Prov.)
275 — 1. Krieger (B), 2. Gibson (J), 3. Waltrip (S), 4. Andry (P)
