Coming off of a record breaking weekend and a quadrangular sweep Tuesday, the Washington Demon wrestling team is in pursuit of winning conference tonight. The Demons are scheduled to travel to Henry County tonight, battling the Panthers (8-8 overall) and the New London Tigers (9-4 overall) in a triangular.

It’s been a successful start to the week for the Demons, winning the Gary Curtis Invitational Saturday with a program best 224-points. Washington followed it up the achievement with three convincing dual wins against English Valleys (75-4), Tipton (62-13), and Lone Tree (81-0) in their final home dual of the season.

Demon seniors Michael Ellingson (145) and Bryce Rickey (170) grappled in their final matches at Washington High School Tuesday night, and both came away with three victories. Ellingson recorded a 19-4 technical fall over English Valleys’ Caleb Peach, pinned Tipton’s Justin McAtee in 2:16, and won his final match by forfeit. Rickey won two of his three matches by forfeit. He pinned English Valleys’ Bentley Schott in 1:27 in his only action.

The final hurdle in the quest for the Demons’ third straight conference title is Mount Pleasant, who has won half of their 16 duals this season. The strength of the Panthers’ squad comes from their middle weights. Senior Colten Mertens (145) has won all 19 matches thus far, and junior Tyler Davis (160) has won 17 of his 21 grapples this year.

The New London Tigers have won nine of the 13 duals they competed in this season. Junior Reno Chiri (152) is the Tigers’ standout wrestler, winning 12 of his 14 dual matches.

First matches are set to commence at 6 p.m. at Mount Pleasant High School. Listen to tomorrow’s sports page for results from the meet.