HOISINGTON— This past weekend, the Hoisington Middle School Wrestlers competed in the Larned Mertens wrestling tournament.

The Cardinal wrestlers finished in second place in a nine-team tournament. The team had eight wrestlers in the finals.

Champions of the tournament were: Kody Lang, 85 lbs.; Lexi Sanders, 120 lbs.; Chance Boor , 265 lbs., varsity; and Seth Owen, 265 lbs., junior varsity. Placing second were: Zade Sanders, 110 lbs.; Nolan McCurry, 141 lbs.; K.C. Stephens, 165 lbs.; and Jake Warnken, 127 lbs., junior varsity. The Cardinal team also had three wrestlers in the consolation finals—Austin Michaelis, 80 lbs., and Cristian Maese 155 lbs.— who both won their matches and finished in third place. Landon Harmon, 95 lbs., placed fourth. The players wrestled out to fifth place and were captured by Brad Reif and Austin McHenry. Also, competing for the Cardinal squad and showing great improvement were Steffan Dolechek, Baily McBride, Justin Umphrey and Cameron Richter.

The HMS wrestlers posted 17 wins against opponents from Ellsworth and Russell Middle Schools on Tuesday night. Overall the kids wrestled very well and continue to show great improvement. The next action for the wrestlers will be Feb. 22 when the team takes on duals with Ellsworth and Beloit.