PALOS HEIGHTS, IL - Finn McDermott was one of 3 Force champions at the annual Joe Tholl Sr. Elite tournament held Sunday at Shepard High school. Twelve Force wrestlers entered the competition and six came home with medals after finishing in the top four of their weight classes. As a team force finished 6th out of 58 with 132.5 points. The tournament is widely known as one of the toughest tournaments in the state and features many returning state champions, placers and qualifiers.

McDermott battled his way through the tournament's largest bracket containing 24 wrestlers. He won 4 matches on the day and had a pair of pins to go along with two decisions to claim his 96-pound championship in the elite division. 

Three other Force wrestlers took home medals in the elite division including: Abel Munoz 3rd (53 lbs), Jayse Amico 4th (60 lbs), and Noah Flores 4th (74 lbs). 

Another two Force wrestlers took home championships in the open division. Michael Tasnic (96 lbs) and Briggs Whiting (60 lbs) each won 4 matches to reach the top of the podium in their weight classes. Whiting finished the day with a team high 4 pins. Both Tasnic and Whiting recorded 14-second pins which was  the second fastest pin time of the tournament. 

Force wrestlers return to the mats after Christmas when they will head to Naperville Central High School for the Reindeer Rumble.