Friday, February 4, 2000
Friday, February 4, 2000 |
| Teams
prepare for area wrestling meets this Saturday By MICHAEL
BOYLAN If you are a wrestling fan, this weekend is like a godsend. The 4-AAAA and 4-AAA area meets start on Saturday, separated by only a few miles. The 4-AAAA area meet will be held in the old Fayette County High School gym, while Sandy Creek High School will be the setting for the 4-AAA meet. Fayette County is most likely the favorite this weekend at the 4-AAAA meet, though McIntosh has been wrestling well recently. In fact, the last time the two rivals clashed, at the Fayette County championships, it came down to the last three wrestlers before a winner was decided. Fayette County's strongest wrestlers are Jarrod Bailey (135), Brad West (140), Nick Salters (160) and Phillip McFarlin (171), while McIntosh's strongest are Ricky Smith (112), his brother Eddie Smith (130) and Carlos Dinkins (125). Both Fayette County and McIntosh will get solid competition from the other schools in the meet, especially LaGrange. The meet will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Starr's Mill is the obvious favorite in the 4-AAA meet. Last year, the Panthers sent 13 of their 14 wrestlers to the state meet, this year they're hoping to send their entire lineup. Gary James (103) and Chris Coleman (145) are still undefeated on the season and look to continue that streak through the state meet. The Panthers are also getting strong performances from Ariston Bowers (140), Drew Cofty (152), and Clint Barbour (189). Sandy Creek has some solid wrestlers as well; John Hilton (103), Ryan Stanfield (130) and Larry Wright (140). The state meet will be held at McEachern next Friday and Saturday and several county wrestlers should place, if not finish first. |
