Bentonville is beginning to get healthy as the high school wrestling season gets closer to postseason action.

Senior Walker Fox had been sidelined by an injury but returned to the lineup last weekend to help the defending 6A state champions finish second in the Paul Post Wrestling Tournament in Sallisaw, Okla.

The Tigers finished just four points behind champion Marlow, Okla., in the 10-team event.

Fox finished third in the 126-pound weight class and Tigers coach Jason Adams liked what he saw.

"He got put in a position in one match, but fired right back and got the win for third," Adams said.

"Our kids wrestled better this week. We're going in the right direction even though we fell a little short in team points."

The Tigers had six wrestlers in the finals and won five of those matches.

Jake Adams led the way, claiming the 132-pound weight class and earning Outstanding Wrestler honors for the lower weights. He improved to 38-2 on the season and was joined on the top of the medal stand by Tristan Stafford (106), Quinn Graves (126), Brody Raines (145) and Gabe Holley (152).

Adams expects Connor Kneeshaw, who was a state runnerup a year ago, to be in the lineup tonight when the Tigers dual rival Bentonville West at Wolverine Arena. The sophomore has been sidelined with an injury.

"We feel like it will be the strongest lineup we've had this year," Adams said.

The rivals will tangle with the No. 1 seed on the line for the upcoming Class 6A Dual State tournament on Feb. 9 in Russellville. Both teams are unbeaten in conference action. The Tigers are 9-1 this season, with their lone loss coming to Broken Arrow, Okla
