Prospector wrestlers Jake Batease and Levi Gagnon took home championships at the Jan. 7-8 Jo-Hi Tournament. They received signed prints by Wallowa County artist Dan Moncrief.

 JOSEPH Illness, injury and grades kept several members of the Grant Union High School wrestling team from competing at Joseph High School last Friday and Saturday, Jan. 7-8.

 The five we took did a good job, said coach Dave Naibert.

 Senior Levi Gagnon went 2-0, placing first at 112 pounds. He is now 10-0 for the season. Sophomore Jake Batease also placed first at 285 pounds, and is 9-3 for the season. He won four matches at Jo-Hi.

 Senior Zach Stegman took a close second place at the 215-pound level, losing 8-10 in the finals to Justin Hendrix of Culver. Stegman won two strong matches before the loss in the final round, said Naibert.

 Two other Grant Union athletes freshmen Reuben Harvey and Kyle Carpenter also competed, although they didnt place. Harvey went 0-2 for the event; Carpenter went 2-2.

 It was Carpenters first high school event. Kyle did really great for his first time out, good for a freshman on his first time, Naibert said.

 As a team, Grant Union took sixth place overall, competing with teams from Culver, Crane, Enterprise/Wallowa, Moscow, Pomeroy, Pine Eagle, Imbler, Union, Elgin and Joseph.

 Naibert hopes to be able to take additional athletes to the Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14-15 Oregon Classic at Redmond.