By MICHAEL BOYLAN

Sports Editor

Both the McIntosh and the Starr's Mill wrestling teams finished where they expected to in their respective state meets this weekend. The Chiefs finished 10th in the AAAA meet, while Starr's Mill finished fifth in the AAA meet. McIntosh scored 70 points overall and finished with one state champion, Matt Waters in the 275 pound division. Waters defeated Davey Pollack of Shiloh by a score of 10-2 in the championship match.

"I just couldn't be happier for Matt," said Coach Marty Hutsell. "Matt has been with me since he was a 145 pound seventh grader." Waters was the 23rd state champion that Coach Hutsell has coached in 23 years of coaching. He was the first heavyweight to win a state championship for Coach Hutsell. Matt has enlisted in the Marines and will join them after graduation this year.

The Chiefs started the meet off strong but their pace was slowed by tremendous efforts from some of the state's most talented wrestlers. Carlos Dinkins placed fifth for the Chiefs at 103, making him all-state for his weight division. Eddie Smith injured his shoulder and faces the possibility of surgery during the off-season.

The Chiefs off-season includes a freestyle program led by an outside teacher, as Coach Hutsell cannot lead the team until the summer. The Tribe wrestling club begins in March and is open to all students in Fayette County at a cost of $75 for membership. This weekend McIntosh will host the USA Kids state qualifier meet for children between the ages of 5-14. The meet will feature 300 youth wrestlers and will begin at 9 a.m. in the McIntosh gym.

The Fayette County Tiger wrestling team placed 28th at the AAAA meet this past weekend with Jonathan Bailey placing fifth at 165. The Tigers had hopes of breaking the top 20 at the state meet but lost several members of the team due to injury, illness and grades a few weeks ago.

Starr's Mill placed fifth in their state meet last weekend and scored 106.5 points. The Panthers had three wrestlers finish all-state; Clint Barbour at 215 with a third place finish,Stephen Behringer at 189 with a fourth place finish and Ariston Bowers at 135 with a fifth place finish.

The Panthers got two sixth place finishes from Bryan Kyser at 130 and Chris Coleman at 145. Matt Thurber, Jason Kiefer and Matt Fuhrman all had top eight finishes at 112, 125 and 152 respectively.

Starr's Mill had a very successful season and should bring their entire squad back next year. They will be favorites in the area and state meets next year and should have some state champions.

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