Caldwell County wrestlers went 3-1 Saturday to earn a fifth-place finish at the 1A State Dual Championship at Nelson County High School in Bardstown.
The Tigers opened the day with a 46-36 triumph over the host school, but then suffered their only loss of the day, 37-24, to Walton Verona to conclude preliminary pool play.
Caldwell finished second in its pool, meaning it could finish no higher than fifth in the tournament. (Only pool champions could place in the top four.)
The Tigers bounced back to defeat Bell County 52-28.
Caldwell then turned away Fort Campbell 45-36 in the fifth-place match.
In the triumph over Nelson, the Tigers took seven matches by pin — Justin Klidzejs at 106 pounds, Andre Carter at 113, Logan Brown at 120, Collin Teutsch at 126, Cofy Walls at 132, Timothy Nichols at 138 and Jackson Riley at 157. Cole Sherill claimed a 13-1 decision in his match.
Against Walton Verona, Klidzejs, Carter and Teutsch all claimed wins by pin. Walls won his match 6-5 while Sherill won by 5-3 decision.
Caldwell won eight matches by pin in the win over Bell. Sherill, Aiden Asher at 285, Kildzejs, Carter, Donovan Rogers at 120, Teutsch, Walls and Nichols all earned pins. Brown earned a 14-3 decision.
The Tigers claimed six pins in the victory over Fort Campbell. Sherill, Klidzejs, Brown, Walls, Nichols and Riley had pins. Carter won his match 15-0 while Teutsch won by 12-4 decision.
Union County won the small-school state dual tournament for the 17th straight year.
Walton Verona was runner-up, with LaRue County third and Martin County fourth.
Fort Campbell finished sixth in the 12-team state tournament.
The state duals are sponsored by the Kentucky Wrestling Coaches Association.
