Rathbone meets challenge

Hillsboro wrestler Tristan Rathbone, 7-0 for the season, pinned opponents from Trego, Ellis, Cimarron, and Council Grove, each in 50 seconds or less, to lead his team to sixth place among 11 schools in the Ellis Railer round robin Friday.

He won his 170-pound weight class in a 14-5 major decision over a Beloit wrestler.

“Rathbone was very dominant,” coach Scott O’Hare said. “In the finals, we anticipated his biggest challenge to date as his opponent is a two time 3-2-1A state placer and currently ranked third in the state.  Rathbone jumped out early and never looked back, controlling the match.”

He was named Hillsboro wrestler of the week.  

Lane Rogers, 5-2 for the season, placed third in the 195-pound class, and Garrett Helmer, 6-1, third in the 152-pound class.

“Rogers wrestled a pretty solid tournament,” O’Hare said. “Aside from a tough semifinal loss, Helmer was pretty dominant in the rest of his matches.  He is honestly on the verge of breaking out big.”

Deon Weeks, 2-4, was fourth in the 220-pound class. Filow Cruz, 3-3, was fifth in the 182-pound class.

The team will compete Friday in the Marion County Dual Tournament.