Jeffersonville’s Freshman-Filled Varsity B Team Takes 2nd at Derby City Classic The Jeffersonville Red Devils’ Varsity B wrestling team, composed of seven freshmen and two sophomores, proved they are a force to be reckoned with at the Derby City Classic at Doss High School. Competing against 19 teams from the Louisville area, the young squad battled their way to a 2nd-place finish, scoring 160 points, second only to Meade County’s dominant 280.5. Building Varsity Experience For Jeffersonville, the tournament was about more than just results. “It’s important for our program to get varsity experience at the JV level,” said Head Coach Danny Struck. “That’s why our second team primarily competes in varsity tournaments. This prepares them for the intensity of high-level competition.” Standout Performances The Red Devils had impressive individual efforts across multiple weight classes. Freshman Jaylen Howard (157 lbs) stood out as the lone champion, dominating the bracket and capping his run with a hard-fought 24-19 decision over Central’s Evan Roe in the finals. Other podium finishes included: • Elijah Lahrman (126 lbs): 3rd place, highlighted by two technical fall victories. • Rudy Olvera (138 lbs): 3rd place, showing resilience with a pin in his medal match. • Larry Sherman (215 lbs): 3rd place, bouncing back from an early loss to win three straight matches. • Jaxon McClemore (150 lbs): 3rd place, securing his spot with a pin in the consolation finals. • Jak Rose (175 lbs): 3rd place, clinching victory by medical forfeit in his last match. Freshmen Tim Wilkins (106 lbs), Kavion Brooks (120 lbs), Isaiah Gatton (132 lbs), and sophomore Elijah Peterson (285 lbs) also placed, showing determination in tough brackets. A Bright Future Despite their youth, the Red Devils’ Varsity B team demonstrated toughness and potential, finishing ahead of established programs like Central, Lafayette, and Doss. This experience will pay dividends as these wrestlers continue to develop. “The grind is part of the growth,” said Struck. “We’re proud of how these kids fought, and we know this is just the beginning of what they can achieve.” With tournaments like this under their belt, the future of Jeffersonville wrestling looks incredibly bright.