The Eagle Valley Devils wrestling team returned from the Delta Panther Invitational Saturday December 9th with two individual champions one very cool piece of hardware.

Freshman phenom James Harvey and senior captain Brendan Best both won their second individual tournament titles, but Best won something even bigger - the admiration and respect from the crowd and other coaches.  Best was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler in the upper weight classes and received a handmade plaque.  Outstanding wrestler awards are voted on by opposing coaches and athletes must perform remarkably to win the honor.  Perform remarkably is what Best did.  In his first match, Best manhandled Hotchkiss wrestler Jake Tribble, pinning him in 1:11.  In his second match, Best beat a New Mexico state champion from Kirtland Central High School.  In the finals, the match between Best and Nucla's Stryker Lane was the most anticipated of the day.  Lane is a nationally ranked wrestler and had been the number one ranked wrestler in the state in 2A.  After a scoreless first period, Best escaped from Lane and then immediately scored a takedown.  Lane scored in the third period on an escape, but could not get through Best's defense.  Best won 3-1.

James Harvey recorded two falls and an injury default on his way to victory.  In his finals match, Harvey pinned Brad Dillon of Nucla in 3:32.

Chad Strakbein placed second for the Devils and Josh Wamboldt placed 5th.  Both wrestled in the 103 pound weight class.  "It is pretty awesome to have more than one quality wrestler at the same weight.  It makes the atmosphere in the wrestler room that much more intense with that kind of competition," said head coach Ron Beard.

The Devils head to the prestigious and intensely difficult Warrior Classic wrestling tournament in Grand Junction this weekend, December 15th and 16th.