Washington senior Bryce Rickey takes down Mount Pleasant’s Levi Parkevich in Thursday’s Southeast Conference dual. Rickey and classmate Michael Ellingson end their conference wrestling career as three-time champions. Photo by KCII’s Nate Gonner.

After facing early adversity, the No. 13 ranked Washington Demon wrestling team (25-0 overall) assumed their role as the Southeast Conference’s best squad. Washington overcame a 6-0 deficit entering the third match of the night, grinding out a 48-11 victory to clinch their third straight Southeast Conference title over the Mount Pleasant Panthers (8-9 overall).

Washington clinched another year of bragging rights with three wins by fall, six triumphs by decisions, and two victories by forfeit.

The dual started with back-to-back losses for Washington as sophomores Tanner Murphy (195; 4-1) and Collin Murphy (220; 5-0), both suffered defeats by decision. Sophomore Mitchell Huisenga (285; 3-1) responded with a decision win for Washington’s first points of the dual. The victory spurred a seven-match winning streak, helping the Demons’ take a 33-6 lead.

The final scoring for Mount Pleasant came in the 145 pound bout, where undefeated Colten Mertens earned a technical fall victory over Demon senior Michael Ellingson, 27-11. Washington closed out with 15 points in their final four grapples of the night, capturing another undefeated conference season.

The Demons preserved their undefeated record as well by defeating the New London Tigers (9-5 overall), 62-12 in the final dual of the evening. Washington won eight matches by forfeit, one by technical fall, one by decision, and one by fall.

Washington leaves Mount Pleasant with an improved 25-0 dual record. The Demon wrestlers head to Solon tomorrow morning to compete in the Ed Hadenfeldt Wrestling Invitational. First grapples are set for 9 a.m. at Solon High school.

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