The WACO Invitational brought together many of the area’s top wrestlers on Saturday in Wayland, but it was the Washington Demons who stood above the rest of the crowd. Washington won the team championship, and the Demons had eight of their nine wrestlers not only medal but also finish fourth or better in their weight classes.

Washington was led by three individual tournament champions in sophomore Aaron Boone, freshman Caden Greiner and junior Chase Greiner. Boone continued his undefeated season and added to his resume as a Class 3A state-ranked wrestler by getting a pin in the quarterfinals at 220 pounds and, after a forfeit by his opponent in the semis, winning a 5-4 decision in the final. Caden Greiner pinned his first opponent at 126 lbs before winning a 9-3 decision in the semifinals and claiming a 14-6 major decision in the final. Chase Greiner would take home the title at 152 with a pair of pins and a 1-0 decision.

The Demons had a pair of runners-up in sophomore Jude Carter at 138 and senior Colley Billingsly at 220. Washington also got third-place medals from sophomore Nate Edmonds at 106 and junior Lane Schrock at 145, while senior Curtis Stender was fourth at 195.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks had a tremendous weekend as well, finishing fourth in the team standings with seven medalists. Leading the way was Mid-Prairie junior Kaden Meader, who claimed a championship at 170 lbs with two pins and a 20-13 decision. Seniors Mose Yoder and Terry Bordenave reached the finals and were runners-up at 113 and 195, respectively, while sophomore Burke Berry was fourth at 285. The Golden Hawks added fifth-place finishes from sophomores Collin O’Rourke at 126 and Quinn Callahan at 220, while second-year grappler Dom Shively was sixth at 160.

The Highland Huskies ended up tenth as a team but did get a winner in senior Carlos Valenzuela, as the number-twelve wrestler in Class 1A pinned two opponents and won a 5-4 decision at 132 lbs. Junior Luke Guseman was third at 120, while junior Jack Peiffer was fifth at 138. The Huskies also earned sixth-place medals with freshman Brock Thomann at 126 and sophomore Isaac Kleese at 182.

The WACO Warriors racked up five medalists, led by sophomore Louden Huisenga taking second at 160 lbs. Junior Jonathan Heather was third at 285, while senior Drew Diers was fourth at 220; junior John Mclaughlin was fifth at 120; and freshman Preston Nichols was sixth at 106. The Lone Tree Lions ended up with one medalist in freshman Carter Schott, who was fourth at 106.