The first ever Top of Iowa Conference wrestling tournament took place in Forest City Saturday, and the Bulldog wrestling team placed second behind Osage, according to a press release.

Despite the disappointment of not winning the entire tournament, Lake Mills placed highest of the TIC West teams and was awarded the championship trophy for that division.

“Although our goal was to win the whole tournament, it was a nice consolation prize to be division champ,” said coach Alex Brandenburg. “This was a great event with so many teams. I thought we wrestled fine, but Osage wrestled well above their seeds.”

Sixteen teams were entered in the event, so the brackets ranged from 10 to 16 wrestlers per bracket. The Bulldogs again showed the balance they’ve shown the whole season as 13 wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes.

“Our kids did a nice job of battling the whole day,” Brandenburg said. “I was pleased so many wrestlers were able to place.”

Two wrestlers became part of history, being part of the first group of TIC wrestling champions.

Freshman Cael Boehmer pinned his way through the bracket, including a second period pin of Justin Anderson from West Fork in the finals.

Slade Sifuentes got pins all the way through, as well, and remained undefeated on the season. He pinned ninth-ranked Colton Francis of West Hancock in the finals.

Sophomore Zach Johnson had a nice tournament and made his first ever finals appearance.

“It was nice to have three in the finals and two champions,” Brandenburg said. “It is always an accomplishment to pin your way through a tournament like Cael and Slade did.”

The Bulldogs have the week off as they prepare for the postseason, which will begin Saturday in Manly with sectionals.