VWMS wrestlers compete in Bearcat meet

SPENCERVILLE — The Van Wert Middle School wrestlers competed in the Spencerville Bearcats Invitational Tournament on Saturday.  The Cougars finished fifth out of 17 teams in a highly competitive tournament that includes some of the area’s finest wrestlers.

The Van Wert Middle School grapplers have came along way this season, as they have 21 athletes on the team, but none have ever wrestled before. The hard work and determination to be better has made a great difference in the team’s tournament results. The team’s positive attitude, combined with weekly match experience, shows great improvement with every tournament.

Van Wert wrestlers placing first in their weight class were 134-pounder Ryan Stoller, finishing with a record of 5-0 with five pins; and Nolan Smith at 245 pounds, finishing with a 5-0 record and also recording five pins.

Special awards were presented for fastest pins in the least amount of time per weight class. Time was figured by average of pins by time. A minimum of three pins were needed to qualify. Winning this award from Van Wert were:

• Brandon Calvelage, three in 3:40
• Ryan Stoller, five in 6:50
• Tymon Moore, three in 1:49
• Nolan Smith, five in 5:36

Van Wert results

• 86 pounds – Brandon Calvelage, 3-1, third place
• 110 pounds – Andy Hammond, 2-3 fourth place
• 128 pounds – Jacob Crisenbery, 3-2 fourth place
• 134 pounds – Ryan Stoller, 5-0 first place
• 142 pounds – Tymon Moore, 4-1 sixth place
• 150 pounds – Dylan Tumbleson, 2-2 sixth place
• 150 pounds – Rachel Davis eighth place
• 160 pounds – Marcus Tarlton, 3-1 third place
• 245 pounds – Nolan Smith, 5-0 (five pins), first place
• 245 pounds – Zach Newman 2-2 fourth place
• 245 pounds – Kaleb Cantrell 2-2 fifth place

The Van Wert grapplers will return to the mat in a tri-meet on Tuesday, January 10, at 5 p.m. at Delphos St. John’s. The match will include the Wapakoneta Redskins, Van Wert Cougars and St. John’s Blue Jays.