Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

The Western Boone boys wrestling team put its continued development on display Saturday at the Patriot Invite at Owen Valley High School, battling through a challenging schedule that featured five varsity duals against Owen Valley, Greenwood, Cascade, South Putnam, and Eastern Hancock. The Stars opened the day against host Owen Valley, drawing a difficult first-round matchup. While the Patriots built an early advantage, Western Boone showed resilience throughout the dual. Jacob Smith delivered a pin at 190, Jackson Jones answered at heavyweight, and Tyson Riner continued his strong season with a fall at 126. Isaiah Garland added a hard-earned decision at 138, highlighting Western Boone’s ability to stay competitive even when facing early adversity. That resilience carried directly into the second dual against Greenwood, which turned into one of the most memorable matches of the day. The teams traded momentum throughout the lineup and finished tied, 40–40, after all 14 bouts were complete. Western Boone earned the dual victory, 41–40, on criteria by holding a 6–5 edge in falls. Pins from Smith, David Puckett, Jackson Bloss, Riner, and Jacob Anderson proved decisive, while Broden Wilson’s major decision at 175 helped keep the Stars within reach as the dual tightened late. Western Boone’s third match against Cascade offered a clear snapshot of the team’s growth since their earlier-season meeting. This time, the Stars were sharper in key positions and more aggressive in finishing matches. Pins from Bloss, Riner, Colton Mitchell, Lucas Garland, and Anderson helped Western Boone pull away, reflecting noticeable improvement in both confidence and execution across the middle of the lineup. The Stars maintained that momentum against South Putnam in the fourth round. Smith and Puckett again set the tone with quick pins, Isaiah Garland followed with another fast fall, and Wilson closed the dual with a pin at 175. While the dual featured a mix of tight contests and swings, Western Boone’s ability to generate bonus points consistently was a difference-maker. Western Boone closed the Patriot Invite with a strong showing against Eastern Hancock, a team the Stars faced earlier in the season. Early pins by Puckett and Jones created separation, and Western Boone steadily built on that lead. Garland delivered another quick fall at 138, Charlie Jones controlled his match at 144, and Smith capped the dual with a technical fall at 190. The performance reflected continued progress from the previous meeting, particularly in match management and late-match scoring. Several Stars finished the day with winning records, led by Jacob Smith, who went unbeaten across five matches. Tyson Riner and Klayton Mikesell each posted 4–1 records, while David Puckett, Jackson Jones, Jackson Bloss, Isaiah Garland, Broden Wilson, and Jacob Anderson all finished the invite with more wins than losses, contributing to a balanced team effort. The Patriot Invite provided Western Boone with a demanding test against a deep field, and the Stars responded by showing growth in composure, consistency, and confidence. That progress will be put to the test next when Western Boone returns home on Thursday, January 8, to host Monon Athletic Conference rival North Putnam. First whistle is set for 6:00 pm.