Southsider Voice correspondent
No. 2 Perry Meridian captured its 10th consecutive Marion County wrestling championship Saturday.
The host Falcons edged No. 10 Warren Central 244-223. Roncalli was fifth, Franklin Central seventh, Beech Grove eighth and Southport 11th in the 14-team tourney.
Under veteran coach Jim Tonte, Perry Meridian won eight individual championships, including Brandon James’ 7-0 domination of No. 1 and reigning state champion Tommy Cash (Lawrence North) for the 138-pound title.
Other Falcons who won titles are: Cornelius Elliott II, 120 pounds; Ngun Uk, 126; Noah Warren, 145; Brett Johnson, 152; Garrett Milner, 160; and Tristen Tonte, 195. Uk, Johnson and Tonte are unbeaten this season.
Roncalli’s Conner James (18-0) won the 182-pound title with a pin after 1 minute and 40 seconds into the match.
Beech Grove’s Ethan Smiley captured the 113-pound title in dramatic fashion by pinning Warren Central’s Erik Owens with only six seconds remaining in the third period.
Perry Meridian 106-pounder Sunny Nier and 285-pounder Anthony Johnson were runners-up, as was 132-pounder Nick Ellis from Roncalli.