BATAVIA – Batavia stayed alive in a long-shot bid to repeat as Upstate Eight Conference River Division wrestling champions Friday with a 44-33 dual victory against Elgin.

The Bulldogs (4-1 UEC River) and conference-leading St. Charles East (5-0) both have one UEC River dual remaining. Batavia is holding out hopes of a possible tie for the conference crown after the Saints won last month’s head-to-head meeting, 43-24.

Against Elgin, Batavia dominated the middle and higher weight classes after the Maroons won four of the five bouts from 106 to 132 pounds. Standout senior Joel Shump notched the Bulldogs’ lone win at that span with a major decision at 126.