Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School wrestling team closed its regular season with a solid runner-up finish Saturday in Middleton.

The Buffalo took second at the T.D. Talbott/American Legion Invitational inside the Mark G. Morse Sports Complex at VHS, finishing 4-1 on the day in the team duals competition.

VHS swept its pool with a perfect 4-0 start, opening with a 63-12 win over Leesburg and a 66-9 victory over Central (Brooksville). The Buffalo then slipped past McKeel Academy (Lakeland) for a 36-33 decision, before closing round-robin action with a 72-12 victory over Apopka.

That set the stage for a championship matchup with Suwannee, who recently made a semifinal appearance in the Class 1A State Duals, with the Buffalo ultimately falling 63-18. The VHS trio of Nic Caudill, Karson Stanage and Cale Sanders each recorded pinfalls in the defeat.

Caudill was a bright spot on the day for VHS, going a perfect 5-0 individually to finish unbeaten at the event.

The Buffalo will now turn their attention toward the postseason, which begins with the Class 1A-District 6 Tournament on Feb. 16 at The First Academy in Orlando.



Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment at cody.hills@tvcs.org or by calling (352) 259-6890.