Bendure paces Colonels in Horz Invitational

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Colton Bendure's runner-up finish led eight James Wood place-winners at the Max Horz Holiday Invitational wrestling tournament on Friday at Berkeley Springs High School.

The Colonels (173 points) tied with East Hardy for seventh in the 17-team event. Northern Garrett (412) and Berkeley Springs topped the field.

Bendure advanced to the 126-pound final via a bye, a pin (2:21) and a decision (7-3). In the title match, he dropped a 5-0 decision against two-time Class 2 state champion Heath Burks of Strasburg.

The Colonels had two third-place finishers. Max Mooney (106) pinned Hampshire's Justice Steinmetz in 1:44 and James Battulga (144) decisioned Mountain View's Jesse Lemon 6-5 in third-place matches.

Also placing for James Wood were: John Juergens (fifth at 120), Dylan Tews (fifth at 165), Aiden Henry (sixth at 150), Orion Cox (sixth at 190), Sean Hodel (eighth at 132) and Seth Merryman (eighth at 138).