PLAINFIELD, IL - Force Elite wrestled their way to a 1st place team finish at the annual Force Challenge Sunday at Plainfield Central High School. Forty eight teams were represented by nearly 1,400 wrestlers from all around the state. The team earned the top trophy behind strong performances from many of the 73 Force wrestlers competing. Force wrestlers battled very tough competition throughout the day and came away with more than 50 medals, including 20 individual champs. Thirteen more Force wrestlers earned silver medals with another 11 wrestlers bringing home bronze. 

As a team, Force compiled 242 points ahead of second place Cory Clark W.C. (220.5) and third place Toss ‘Em Up Wrestling Academy (213.5).

Leading the way for Force were Finn McDermott, Leila Linton and Brooklyn Rauen, all three wrestlers pinned their way to the top of the podium. The trio also led the tournament in team points with 26 points each.

For the second straight week, the intermediate division led the way for Force with 6 wrestlers earning Gold. Champions include Jayse Amico, Oz Bellamy, Logan Linton, Nora Rauen, Michael Tasnic, and Cooper Whiting. The tot division produced the next most champs with 5, including Cooper Callender, Tyler Sage, Jack Smothers, Brayden Wilson, and Harrison Womack. Another four bantams came away with titles of their own including Braden Belcher, Abel Muniz, Briggs Whiting, and Stratton Womack. Novice division wrestlers Finn McDermott and Noah Rauen both captured championships in their brackets while the girls division saw three additional Force wrestlers win titles including Londyn Bellamy, Leila Linton, and Brooklyn Rauen. 

Force wrestlers won 102 matches on the day which was 3rd best among the 48-team field, but pins are what lifted Force to the team championship. Forty different Force wrestlers accounted for 63 pins which led all teams. The fastest fall of the tournament came from Force’s Briggs Whiting in the bantam division who pinned his SJO Spartan opponent in 4 seconds. 

Action resumes this Sunday with wrestlers heading to either the Yeti Bash in Morris or the Joe Tholl Elite in Palos Heights.