Wrestling: Penn earns eighth consecutive NIC crown

Penn High School’s Wrestling Team earned its eighth consecutive Northern Indiana Conference Championship and claimed five individual Championships at the Northern Indiana Conference Championships on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Mishawaka.

Ryan Purvis dominated the competition for his Championship at 113. Purvis won by pin in the Semifinal and Championship rounds. He advanced with a bye as the No. 1 seed, and a forfeit in the second round.

Vince Sparrow claimed the NIC Championship at 120, also dominating the field. Sparrow had a first-round by as the No. 1 seed, and then advance with a pin, a 6-0 decision, and scored a 12-1 major decision in the Championship.

Jeffrey Harper stormed to the 145 Championship with a bye, two pins and a 10-1 decision in the Championship bout.

Rockne Hurley, who is 22-1 this season, claimed the 195 Championship with a 14-4 Major Decision and three pins. Hurley stunned New Prairie’s Grant Johnson with a dramatic buzzer-beater pin at 5:49 to rally for the win.

Hezzy Devault, ranked No. 1 in Indiana at 285 with a 30-0 record, advanced with pins in :15 and :52 in the Semifinal and Championship rounds respectively. Devault advanced with two forfeits in the first two rounds.

TEAM SCORES: 1. PENN 275, 2. Mishawaka 249, 3. Jimtown 222 ½, 4. Riley 173 ½, 5. New Prairie 168 ½, 6. Elkhart Central 144, 7. Washington 75, 8. Clay 69, 9. Glenn 62, 10. Adams 59, 11. Bremen 37, 12. Saint Joseph 23, 13. Marian 12.

PENN RESULTS

106: 1. Ryan Purvis.

113: 5. Brayden McMillen.

120: 1. Vince Sparrow.

126: 2. Logan Hill.

132: 3. Nate Hadary.

138: 4. Alex Slates.

145: 1. Jeffrey Harper.

152: 5. Garrett Caurro.

160: 2. Michael Garcia.

182: 2. Ben Kahl.

195: 1. Rockne Hurley.

220: 2. Adam Berta.

285: 1. Hezzy Devault.