The Gaffney High wrestling team did a lot of things right in its tri-match against Chesnee and Broome on Monday. But it wasn’t enough, partly because, the Indians are missing several key wrestlers, including heavyweight James Costello.

Gaffney fell to Broome, 51-26 after dropping a 51-26 decision to the Eagles.

Costello missed the match after undergoing knee surgery on Monday.

“We wrestled hard and we are continuing to improve,” Gaffney coach Thomas Voelker said.

Daniel Ruppe, Garrett Woodworth, Randy Hopson and Jared Barnhill, in particular, wrestled well.

Ruppe at 103 lbs., Woodworth at 130 lbs., and Hopson, who was wrestling at 145 lbs., and freshman Thomas Diones at 152 lbs. posted pins in each of their matches. Barnhill earned a 12-3 decision against Chesnee and a 14-3 decision against the Centurions.

Gaffney’s Matt Varner, wrestling in the 160 lbs. weight class, earned a pin against Broome. Varner, Ruppe, Hopson and Barnhill also were all bright spots at the 28-team Bearcat Invitational at Rock Hill this weekend.

All four wrestlers advanced to the consolation round on Saturday.

Varner had a chance to place in the top 10 in his weight class but lost in his final match after leading his opponent, 11-1.

The Indians will travel to Nation Ford High School for a region match on Thursday.

GAFFNEY GRAPPLERS

 Gaffney wrestlers

Daniel Ruppe, Garrett

Woodworth, Randy Hopson and Jared Barnhill

all won their matches against Chesnee and

Broome on Monday.