Thursday wrestling: Dragons improve to 23-0

New Palestine remained perfect in the dual-meet season Thursday night, beating Franklin Central 39-22.

Ranked 11th in the state, NP is now 23-0 on the year with one dual meet remaining -- Jan. 16 at Franklin.

The Dragons won the last three matches of the day by fall or default to clinch the victory, with Willie Bryan needing just 39 seconds for a fall at 285. C.J. Red, ranked No. 1 in the state at 106, followed with a 52-second pin, and Rylan McCarty won by injury default when his opponent could not continue late in the first period. McCarty led that match 10-1 when it was defaulted.

Gordon Wagner had a big victory at 138, winning by a 16-1 technical fall. Brian Wagner had a 16-3 major decision at 182. Other NP winners were Taylor Fee at 126, Robbie Elsea at 145, Logan Hunt at 152 and Nick Brickens in a thrilling 14-12 overtime match at 160. Brickens trailed 11-8 late in regulation, but scored a reversal, gave his opponent an escape and then took him down in the last 25 seconds of regulation. Brickens then scored a takedown 20 seconds into OT.

It was Senior Day and the final home dual meet for the Dragons' seniors -- Fee, Gordon Wagner, Elsea, Bryan and Trevor Null, as well as manager Grace Begovich.

NP next competes Saturday in the eight-team New Palestine Invitational.