Knox's Rutledge takes Invite title

Monday, November 12, 2007

GALESBURG - Knox College wrestler Jaran Rutledge won all four of his matches to claim the heavyweight championship at the Knox Invitational on Saturday.

Rutledge, the top-ranked heavyweight in NCAA Division III, pinned his first three opponents in 19 seconds, 3:36 and 45 seconds to reach the championship. Once there, he defeated his Rend Lake Community College opponent 5-3.

A total of six Prairie Fire wrestlers placed in the top six.

Galesburg High School graduate Dan Stafford reached the finals at 157 pounds in his first collegiate tournament. He started with a 17-2 tech fall victory before earning an 8-5 decision in the semifinals. In the championship match, he lost 17-9 to Waldorf College's Brandon Porter.

Also for Knox, Aaron Barnett went 2-2 at 184 pounds to finish in fourth place and Luke Karner was fifth at 174 pounds. Tim Yee won twice to claim sixth place at 141 pounds, and Ben Boor won a match to take sixth at heavyweight.