The host Geneva wrestling team finished fourth out of 18 teams at the 32^nd Annual Newbill Invitational Saturday, Jan. 8.

Marmion Academy took the top spot, followed by Stillman Valley and Wheaton Warrenville South.

At 112 pounds, Brad Martens finished fourth. At 119, freshman Kyle Roberts pinned his first opponent and then lost his next two matches.

At what Vikings’ coach Tom Chernich called maybe the deepest weight class, 125, Mark Henriksen went 1-2. At 130, Mike Henriksen placed fifth. Kristoff Larsen wrestled up two weights for the Vikings and went 0-2 at 135. After his electrifying performance the evening before in a pin against St. Charles East, Brian Favis might have had a little letdown as he went 0-2 at 140, Chernich said.

At 145, Tony Castelvecchi went 1-2. At 152, Nick Bradberry lost a tough match in the finals to Tim Hourihan of Carmel, 3-1. At 160, Derek Larsen placed fourth for the Vikings.

At 171, Eric Timko lost a one-point match in the finals to Steve Franke of Wheaton Warrenville South.

“Eric did a nice job avenging a loss to Jon Wolfgram of Marmion in the semifinals,” Chernich said. “They saw each other at the dual meet we had with them earlier in the season and Wolfgram beat him. Coach Cody Strub went over the film with Eric, came up with a great game plan and Eric executed the way Cody wanted him to.

“Eric really took Wolfgram out of his comfort zone. I am tremendously lucky to have coach Strub as a part of the Geneva wrestling staff. He wrestled four years for legendary coach and wrestler Dan Gable at the University of Iowa. He is an unbelievable technician. Wrestlers improve greatly when they work with Cody."

David James at 189 took fifth for the Vikings. At 215, Henry Zupke was ill, tried to wrestle, but was sent home by the coaching staff so he could get well. At heavyweight, Jake Mills recorded three wins to take seventh.