PAINTSVILLE, Ky. — Lots of places meant second place for the Fairland Dragons.

The Dragons placed 11 of 14 wrestlers as they finished as runners-up in the Johnson Central Holiday Classic Saturday.

Johnson Central won the meet with 103 points followed by Fairland with 94. Lexington Tates Creek had 90 points to take third place in the nine-team field.

“They all wrestled well as a team. That’s the first time the team wrestled up to their capabilities. We had couple other kids who wrestled well but didn’t make it into the medal round,” coach Chuck Wentz said.

“Brandon Russell and Garrett Wiremen are freshmen and they really stepped it up.”

Michael Evans at 145 pounds and Chris Jackson in the 152 division were champions with 4-0 records.

Going 3-1 and taking second place were Chuckie Wentz at 112 pounds, Russell at 130 and Joe Whitley in the 215 division.

Also posting 3-1 records and finishing in third place were Grady Starkey at 119, Wireman at 125, Will Lively in the 135 class and Stephen Walker at 189.

Taking fourth place were Eric Denney at 140 and Zach Fannin at 160 with 2-2 records.

Fairland, now 7-1 in duel meets this season, lost by 25 points last week to Johnson Central. Coach Wentz was pleased with his team’s progress and gave some credit to his tri-captains Evans, Jackson and Wentz.

“Those three have led the team to where they are right now. This is the first time some of these kids have ever placed,” coach Wentz said.

Fairland is at the Gallipolis Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 30.