LA CROSSE – Jackson County Central won three duals over higher seeded teams and won the Bracket B title on the first day of The Clash XIX wrestling tournament at La Crosse Center Friday.
The fifth-seeded Huskies defeated fourth-seeded Bolivar, Mo. 48-15, top-seeded Liberty, Ariz. 38-22 and second-seeded Staley, Mo. 49-15.
JCC is rated second in Class 1A in Minnesota, Bolivar is ranked fifth in Class 3, Liberty is first in its class in Arizona and Staley fourth in Class 4 in Missouri.
Five Huskies went 3-0 on the day.
Payton Handevidt, who has won two state titles and is ranked first himself, defeated a state champion and top-ranked wrestler in each of his matches.
He won 3-1 over two-time Missouri state champion Tyson Moore of Bolivar 3-1 with a late takedown, was an 18-3 technical fall winner Tyler Sauter of Liberty and a 16-7 major decision over defending state champ David Brooks of Staley.
Also going 3-0 were Nolan Ambrose (one pin and one forfeit), Kie Anderson (three pins), Caleb Vancura (three pins) and Cameron Scholten (one pin).
Going 2-1 on the day for Jackson County Central were Logan Butzon, Matthew Haley (one pin) and Will Freking (two pins).
Ben Dahlin was 1-0 and Landon Andrews 1-1.
Three Huskies were 1-2 with that win coming by fall, Isaac Rodriguez, Thomas Freking and Isaiah Rodriguez. Dylan Withers was also 1-2.
Trace Michelson was 0-1 and Jack Mix 0-2.
JCC will join Friday’s other three bracket champions to will wrestle in a round-robin format on Saturday.
The Huskies will face St. Michael-Albertville at 4 p.m., Vacaville, Calif. at 6 p.m. and Waverly-Shell Rock, IA at 8 p.m.
This is the highest JCC has placed in its five appearance in The Clash. The Huskies made it to Division 2 once, Division 5 once and Division 6 twice.
Here are Jackson County Central's other placings in The Clash:
Clash V: Division 6 (1st)
Clash VI: Division 2 (3rd)
Clash XII: Division 5 (2nd)
Clash XIII: Division 6 (2nd)
JCC coach Nate Hanson knows his team will have three more duals against strong competition Saturday.