Despite a limited roster, Westlake opened its season at last weekend’s Capital City Classic at Austin’s Delco Center with some promising results.

The Chaps filled only seven of the 15 weight classes due to early-season injuries and the football team’s playoff run but still managed to place fifth out of 22 teams.

All three senior captains brought home gold medals for the Chaps. Chase Betzer went 4-0 in capturing the title at 135 pounds. That win included a much-anticipated finals match against Vista Ridge’s Israel Bustos, a state qualifier from two years ago who is ranked just behind Betzer in Region IV. After a defensive start by both wrestlers, Betzer powered through a single leg that took Bustos to his back. Betzer dominated the rest of the match, cruising to a 7-2 victory.

State champion Peyton Burns began defense of his 160-pound title in the same gym he won it last year. Burns was pushed hard in the tournament, with three of his matches going the distance. The championship match at 160 pounds against Eric Newton of Katy Seven Lakes was a hard-fought battle won 8-5 by Burns.

“Things won’t be easy for Peyton this year,” Westlake coach Patrick O’Harra said. “He has a target on his back. Everyone wants to beat the state champ, so he will get the best his opponents have to offer every time.”

Westlake’s final title came from Sawyer Morris at 171 pounds. It was a big week for Morris, who on Monday committed to wrestle at Indiana University. Morris dominated the division, culminating with a 9-0 victory over fourth-ranked Hunter Fields of Vista Ridge. Morris did not give up an offensive point throughout the entire tournament.

Westlake’s only other placer was junior Trevor Hershey at 180 pounds. After a thrilling double-overtime victory against Adam Fowler of San Antonio Roosevelt in the semifinals, Hershey faced Vista Ridge’s Marshall Gunther in the championship. Gunther hit a legal headlock in the first period that resulted in Hershey having to tap out and default the match.

“It was an unfortunate way to end a great day for Trevor,” O’Harra said. “He got caught in that headlock, and that was it. I think it would be a very different match if they wrestled again.”

Juniors Connor Shults and Richmond Howard each came within one match of placing. Shults was forced to default at 130 pounds with a shoulder injury. Howard, in his first varsity tournament, had a solid showing at 189 pounds, narrowly losing his placement match.

“Richmond wrestled very well for his first time at varsity,” O’Harra said. “I think he will have a great year.”

The Chaps will compete in The Woodlands Invitational Dec. 4, one of the toughest tournaments in the state. Three of the top four ranked teams in the state will compete in the event, including top-ranked Dallas Bishop Lynch and second-ranked Allen enter the tournament just ahead of the fourth-ranked Chaps.