Janesville Parkers wrestling team had one clear goal entering the season: winning the Big Eight Conference tournament.
The Vikings did just that on Saturday at Madison East High as they finished in first place with 237.5 points. Verona totaled 230.5 points to place second and Janesville Craig scored 205 to finish third.
Parkers Brayden Garey at 120 pounds, Dominic McGuire (126) and Cody Slater (215) each finished as individual conference champions. Craigs Landon Colson (138) also took home a conference chip.
It was our number one goal starting the season, said Vikings coach Shane Fleming. So its just a relief to actually get the win.
To secure the conference tournament, the Vikings had to overcome the Wildcats.
They were a pain in our side all year long, said Fleming.
Wyatt Kasten came up big for the Vikings in the fifth-place match at 285. Kasten pinned Fausto Rivera of Madison East at 3:04 which sealed Parkers victory.
I told Wyatt, You win, we win and he went out, and pinned his guy. So it was a huge win by Wyatt to pretty much secure the win for us, said Fleming.
The Vikings got key contributions from every wrestler on their team as they each recorded at least one point.
Slater recorded two and won by major decision, 13-2, over Jack Rathfelder of Verona in the championship match. McGuire won via decision, 10-6, in the championship match over Grady Hargrove of Middleton. Garey recorded three pins in the tournament.
Teana Anderson recorded a pin in the 106 pound fifth-place match and Addison Friedriches finished in fourth place at 113.
Carter Wesley (190) finished in second place after losing via tech fall to No. 4 ranked Reed Falk of Middleton.
Landon Colson was Craigs top performer. He won via tech fall over Aiden Bell of Middleton in the first-place match at four minutes.
Caleb Busfield at 113 also had a strong day for the Cougars. Busfield finished second in the 113 weight class and recorded a pin overBoone Freihoefer of Madison East at 3:39.
Janesville Craigs Aidyn Tucker (120), Jessie Reid (132), Leo Getchell (144), Jacoby Pikulik (175), and Dante Albrecht (215) each took third place in their classes.
The Vikings totaled 22 pins on the day and the Cougars 13.
Next up for the two Janesville schools is regionals, which will be hosted by Milton, girls competition at 4 p.m, Friday. Boys competition at 10 a.m. Saturday at Milton.