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Brandon Hilligeist led the McKinleyville charge at the weekend Corning wrestling tournament, placing first in his bracket at 123 pounds.

Hillegeist, who is now 15-4 on the season, defeated Durham’s Haden Solinger-Owings with a pin in the championship.

The junior grappler was the Panthers’ only winner on the day but the team enjoyed some standout performances as they continue to build toward the upcoming H-DNL championships.

Three other Mack wrestlers placed in the top five in their brackets.

At 153, league contender Jace Thomson placed third.

The impressive senior improved to 22-4 on the season with a victory by pin over West Valley’s Atreyu Dulen in the third-place matchup.

At 141, McKinleyville junior Leo Cosce place fourth, losing the third-place matchup to Henley’s Kyle Nichols.

Cosce is now 11-8 on the season.

And rounding out an impressive team performance Lucas Dickey placed fifth at 168.

The junior is now 15-8 on the season after getting the better of Modoc’s Conor Boyle in the fifth-place matchup.

As a team, the Panthers finished the 34-school tournament in a tie with University Prep for ninth.

Durham won the team competition.

A busy week for the Panthers continues with a dual meet at Eureka on Tuesday night, before they travel to compete at the Ukiah tournament this weekend.

The H-DNL championships will take place at Eureka High on Feb. 10.