NEWTON – The Ballard men's wrestling team turned in a strong early-season performance Saturday, finishing as tournament runner-up at the Newton Invitational with 187 team points.  The Bombers trailed only Mount Vernon, the eventual champion with 277 points, and placed ahead of eight other competing teams.

Ballard crowned three individual champions and earned multiple top-five finishes across the lineup, showing depth and continued growth as the season picks up.

Champions Lead the Way

At 132 pounds, Easton Enyeart continued his dominant start to the season, rolling to a 1st-place finish and improving to 8-0. Enyeart collected five wins on the day—four by fall and one by technical fall—over opponents from Mount Vernon, Oskaloosa, Des Moines Lincoln, and again over Mount Vernon in the finals.

Grayson Hedrick (144) matched that intensity, also moving to 8-0 on the year. Hedrick recorded four pins and a tech fall on his way to the title, capping the day with a 14-8 decision over CJ Martin of Mount Vernon in the championship match.

At 165, Landon Askelsen claimed Ballard's third title, winning all three of his matches. Askelsen secured two falls to reach the finals, then edged Grinnell's Mikeal Miller in a tight 1-0 championship decision.

Podium Strength Across the Lineup

Ballard had several other wrestlers place inside the top five, bolstering the team's overall score.

At 106, Gabe Rhiner battled his way to a 2nd-place finish. Rhiner collected wins by fall, major decision, and decision before falling in the championship to Mount Vernon's Matthew Goodlove.

Kyle Rhiner earned 3rd at 138 with a pair of major decisions and a clutch 4-3 victory in the placement match.

At 157, Carter Jeffs continued his strong season, finishing 3rd with multiple bonus-point wins, including two tech falls and a major decision.

Lincoln Engleman (175) placed 4th after opening the day with a fall, while Owen Davidson (120) and Caleb Hyman (150) each fought through consolation brackets to claim 5th.

At heavyweight, Carter Dietrich finished 5th, collecting a fall and a decision along the way. Leif Jorgensen (215) also earned 5th after battling through the back side.

Despite several Bombers dealing with medical forfeits at 190, Ballard still accumulated points through early wins from Greyson Ehresman.

Ballard returns to action Thursday, December 11, when they travel to Boone for a 5:30 PM start.

Photo Credit: Davidson Photography