Several returning champs highlight Howland invite

HOWLAND -- The 45th Howland High Invitational Wrestling tournament will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Howland's Kyle Gantz returns to defend his 215-pound title. Senior Matt Jenkins (12-9) of Salem, who placed seventh at the Alliance Top Gun tournament, and Franklin's Sam Schwabenbauer, who was second last year at Howland, are the top contenders in the weight class.
Other champs coming back are Brookfield's Ross Tice (145) and Josh Mathews (160); Geneva's Travis Bernard (112) and Jim Ferguson (130) and Eastlake North's Jason Flynn (171).
Seven points separated the top three teams in 2005, with Howland winning the championship with 148.5 points.
Qualified for state
Howland's Gantz and teammate Steve Wall went on to qualify for the Division II state tournament. The Tigers actually have eight place winners returning, while Brookfield has five.
One of the featured weight classes, 145, will have Hickory's Sean Marshall, Liberty's Rob Webber and Howland's Joe Grech, who were second, third and fourth last year.
Brookfield's Tristan Thompson, Franklin's Bobby Steele and Howland's Wall should make the 112 division interesting to watch. The three were second, third and fourth a year ago.
Hickory's Josh Williams, Howland's Zac Adgate and Geneva's Adam Yrubek finished second, third and fourth in 2005 in the 160-pound weight class.
Championship and consolation matches in the 13 weight classes will start at 7 p.m. Price of admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.