BOURBON - Yes, Jonthan Neese was a two-time Hoosier North Athletic Conference champion. And though the junior hadn't wrestled a couple of his opponents in the event held by Triton High School, he was still locked in on the task at hand. To become a three-time. With the HNAC wrestling championships being postponed a couple of times due to inclement weather, the tournament finally was able to be held on Tuesday. Neese opened the 215-pound weight class with Winamac. "I haven't wrestled him this year," said Neese of Cody Wheeler from WHS. "It was the first time so I wasn't too sure of him. I just went out there and did what I do." He was able to record his first pin of the day in 1-minute, 28-seconds. According to Neese, he has wrestled his semifinal round opponent before. In fact, at the HNAC last year and during the season in 2023-24. Jonathan ended up pinning his opponent from Knox, Gage Craig, in 1:35. to advance to the championship match. Hunter Redlin of North Judson-San Pierre was the opponent as Neese competed for his third HNAC crown. "My plan was to go into this one match at a time," explained Neese. "I didn't want to look past anyone. There are a lot of good wrestlers out there." The Lancer junior indicated that the two had not met yet this season. "I haven't wrestled him," Neese said of his final round opposition. "But the North Judson guy was the toughest opponent of the tournament. I was just feeling things out for however long. Then just doing what I also do. That seems to work." For Neese, he becomes a three-time HNAC, and prepares for the state tournament. "I was able to put together a game plan," Neese explained when asked about his HNAC success. "I like to change things up. I can be defensive. I can push the pace. I like to wrestle how I want to wrestle, not the way they want me to wrestle. "It felt great," concluded Neese. "I knew the atmosphere we were wrestling in. Only thing was it felt a little different wrestling the conference on a Tuesday night rather than a Saturday morning." Heading into the Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournament, Neese stands at 18-1 overall. His lone loss is to Travis Henke of Northridge in the Raider Classic. In addition to Neese earning All-HNAC honors, four other Lancer wrestlers were recognized as honorable mention - Alyvia Wickizer (106), Peyton Cline (120), Rylan Davis (132), and Ezekiel Jones (285). Neese and his LaVille teammates will participate in the Mishawaka Sectional, January 27. Opening round action is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., with the finals set for 1:30 p.m. in 'The Cave' at Mishawaka High School. Winamac won the team title, scoring 248.5 points. The Lancers were second with 190 points, followed by Knox (164), Triton (163), Caston (157), Pioneer (151), North Judson-San Pierre (119, and Culver Community (40). Individual champion earns first-team all-HNAC. Runner-up earns honorable mention recognition. Two at-large all-conference selections by the coaches included Brandon Nettrouer of LaVille and Pete Duvall of Caston. The 2023-24 HNAC most valuable player is Connor Wintzak of (Caston). HOOSIER NORTH ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS At Triton HS, Bourbon, IN. Championship Round 106 - Jackson Robbins (Caston) by fall over Alyvia Wickizer (LaVille), 0:51 113 - Gavin Riffle (Triton) by fall over Eugene Scott (Knox), 3:58 120 - Charles Cottrell (Winamac) by fall over Peyton Cline (LaVille), 4:44 126 - Nathan Salyer (Knox) by fall over Kyler Weiger (Culver), 1:22 132 - Ashton Bowyer (Caston) by decision over Rylan Davis, 9-3 144 - Eli Guffey (Pioneer) by decision over Ryan Bedwell (Winamac), 8-3 150 - Austin Altinger (Winamac) by decision over Branden Sterrett (Pioneer), 8-1 157 - DJ Depke (Winamac) by major decision over Theron Carrington (Culver), 18-4 165 - Noah Van Meter (Pioneer) by decision over Tearson Wolfold (Winamac), 10-6 175 - Noah Bolen (Knox) by decision over Trey McGowen (North Judson), 11-6 190 - Talen Garner (Winamac) by major decision Pete DuVall (Caston), 12-1 215 - Jonathan Neese (LaVille) by fall over Hunter Redlin (North Judson), 1:23 285 - Eli Matthews (Winamac) by fall over Isaiah Jones (Knox), 2:46