By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

The four county wrestling teams hit the road last weekend, some of the teams traveling as far as Alabama and Florida. They were looking for experience. They were looking to stay sharp for Tuesday's County Championship.

Sandy Creek traveled to the North Marion Invitational in Citra, Fla. The Patriots placed fourth in the dual meet on Friday, winning two matches and losing one, and placed sixth in the individual meet. There were eight teams at the tournament and Sandy Creek was the only team from Georgia.

John Hilton placed first overall at 103 and is, as Coach Damian Belvedere says, “Getting tougher every week.” Ryan Stanfield placed second overall at 130, while Larry Wright (135), Mutee Patrick (112), and Kerry Ruffin (125) all placed third. Joey Singleton (119) and Erland Hunstadt both placed fourth. “It was a really good experience for the kids,” said Coach Belvedere. “They're starting to wrestle smarter and go for points. They are more controlled.”

Starr's Mill traveled to Birmingham, Ala. to wrestle in the Hoover Invitational over the weekend. The Panthers faced some of the top programs from Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee, including Huntsville, Vestavia, Homewood, Hoover and Scottsboro. They placed second out of 12 teams and had five placers in the tournament.

Christopher Coleman (145) was the only first place finisher, while Drew Cofty (152) and Ariston Bowers (140) each placed second. Jason Kiefer placed third overall at 130, as did Clint Barbour at 215. Everybody on the team wrestled in three matches on Friday and then the winners wrestled on Saturday. Many panther wrestlers wrestled six times over the weekend. Starr's Mill will wrestle in the Dalton Carpet Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Fayette County wrestled in a two day event at Murray County over the weekend. Friday night's action came in the form of a dual meet and Saturday's format was an individual meet. The Tigers placed third overall on Friday, going 3-1, and fifth overall on Saturday. The team was missing some of their teammates due to illness and had several younger wrestlers in the lineup. The Tigers wrestled four times on Friday and between four and five matches on Saturday.

Brad West (140) and Nick Salters (160) each placed second overall, while Jarrod Bailey (135) finished third overall. His loss came to a frequent opponent from Troup County. It was his first loss to him.

McIntosh wrestled at the War Eagle Invitational at Woodward Academy. The Chiefs placed fifth out of 11 teams and had only two first place finishers in the tournament, Ricky Smith (112) and Eddie Smith (130). McIntosh will host the McIntosh Duals on Saturday with wrestling beginning at 9 a.m.

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