The Junction City Blue Jay wrestling team scored 172 points to finish third in their own invitational at the Shenk Gym on Saturday. Kapaun Mt. Carmel captured first place with 181 points and Lawrence Free State finished second with 180. There were 15 teams in the tournament.

Blue Jay coach Bob Laster said he was happy with the Junction City finish. For the Blue Jays C.J. Neuman won the championship at 152 pounds, Terrance Adeleye was second at 195 and Matthew Whitten second at 138 pounds.

It was senior day for the Blue Jays, and Coach Laster was recognized before the beginning of the championship finals. He is retiring after the current season after 35 years of coaching in the program, 32 as head coach. “I’m a little sad and a little happy. Both current and former Blue Jay wrestlers joined Laster on the mat during the recognition ceremony. “This is what wrestling’s been about for me the whole time. It’s always been about relationships, and trying to build relationships with kids. That’s pretty much my total philosophy.”

Laster enjoyed his time with all the wrestlers, past and present. “Yeah, it was a little said, but also a little happy to see how much people care about you. And they were coming back to show me that so I was real happy about that.”