After winter weather knocked them out of competition for nearly two weeks, the Washington Demons returned to tournament wrestling with a strong effort. Washington finished ninth in scoring out of a 27-team field Friday and Saturday at the John J Harris Invitational at Southwest Valley of Corning.

Leading the way for the Demons was Aaron Boone, who was the tournament champion at 132 pounds. The junior pinned all four of the opponents he wrestled to improve to 31-1 this season. Sophomore Caden Greiner was third for Washington at 126 lbs, while senior Chase Greiner was fifth at 157, as was freshman Greyson Hartman at 215.

Highland had the top finish among area boys’ wrestling teams Saturday at the Kurt Hinschberger Invitational in Belle Plaine by finishing sixth. The Huskies were led by two tournament champs. Luke Guseman won by a 15-3 major decision in the quarterfinals at 120 lbs, then followed up winning an 8-1 decision in the semis by pinning his opponent in the finals. Fellow senior Jack Peiffer was also a winner by taking all four of his bouts at 157 lbs, three by pin.

Highland also got bronze medals from junior Landon Bell at 106 and freshman Tyler Pierson at 113. Junior Wade Eckrich was sixth at 138, while the Huskies had fifth-place finishers in sophomore Brock Thomann at 132; senior Remington Fields at 150; and freshman Jose Ramirez at 165.

WACO’s Louden Husienga also won a title at Belle Plaine by pinning both opponents he wrestled at 190 lbs. The Warriors’ Gage Samo was the runner-up at 113, while fellow juniors Deacon Bird and Lane Bachman were each eighth at 138 and 144, respectively.