Breyson Kelley, left, battles Trevor Firari of Waterloo, Wis., during a 160-pound division matchup at the Ripon Holiday Scramble Invitational on Dec. 27. (Courtesy photo)

FLORENCE, Wis. — While most people got to take a break over the holidays, the Florence wresting team kept busy.

Two Bobcats traveled to Ripon, Wis., on Dec. 27 fro the Ripon Holiday Scramble Invitational. According to Ed Kelley, the limited numbers going to Ripon were due to sickness and injuries.

That didn’t mean the trip wasn’t a successful one.

Sophomore Sophia Wagner went 4-1 on the day to take second place at 106 pounds. Wagner won three of her matches by pins and the other win was a tech fall.

Freshman Breyson Kelley also made it a worthwhile trip, placing third place in one of the most competitive weight classes — 160 pounds — of the tournament, with the division including two state-ranked wrestlers, Kelley said.

Just before Christmas, the Bobcats sent two of their female grapplers to the first annual Wrightstown Lady’s Wrestling Invitational on Dec. 23.

“With the WIAA approving sectioning girls wrestling in Wisconsin, Wrightstown is taking advantage of promoting the sport,” Kelley said.

Like at Ripon, the Bobcats made the trip count.

Wagner dominated the action at 106 pounds, even after completing against her rivals — including boys — at Rhinelander the previous day. Wagner brought home a first-place finish that included two pins and a tech fall.

Fellow Bobcat Caitlyn Kelley was just as dominate in winning the 120-pound class, pinning her first two opponents to make it to the finals, where she met up with Natalie Klavetter of Hudson.

With the score tied 2-2 going into the 3rd period, Kelley scored a reversal and near fall to win 6-2.

Their performances so far in the 2021-22 season have earned both Wagner and Kelley a No. 1 ranking in their respective weight class in the Wisconsin Girls Division, as of Dec. 28.

Florence will next travel to the Green Bay United Scramble Invitational on Jan. 8.

“(We) should be returning sophomore Isaiah Fennessy and junior Jacob Smith for this tournament,” the Bobcats coach said.