Local wrestling teams gear up for state qualifying tournaments

Tue, 02/12/2008 - 2:07pm
By: Michael Boylan

Fayette County’s wrestling team competed in five matches this past weekend and went 4-1. The Tigers lost to Henry County 40-30, but defeated Mundy’s Mill 71-6, Lowndes 46-30, North Forsyth, 44-27 and Southwest DeKalb 49-20.
Winning all five matches for the weekend were: Joel Carnow, Jonathan West, Brian Tilton and Patrick Blankenbeker.

The team also extends congratulations to all the senior wrestlers and managers who were honored Friday night on Senior night: Nick Edwards, Jonathan West, Sam Law, Cecil Level, Brian Tilton, Matt Mulski, Chris Moody, Jen Johnson, Ariel Ficsher and Chelsea Maglio.

The McIntosh wrestling team traveled to Walton County this weekend and came home with a second place trophy in Red Devil Rumble held at Loganville High School. Pope High School, the third-ranked team in Georgia, won the tournament with 235 points, McIntosh was second with 175 points and Alcovy High School finished third with 138 points. Twelve teams competed in the tournament.

“We had a good tournament. We competed without wrestlers in two weight classes and came home with a second place trophy. Not a bad day” said McIntosh coach Nick Bellantoni. “Nobody was catching Pope today. They are a tough squad in nearly all weight classes. But we had a lot of good wins. I am especially happy to see Erik Willanzheimer come home as tournament champion. He’s worked hard, he earned it today.”

Joining Willanzheimer (189) as tournament champion was Matt Carroll (215). This was Carroll’s second championship in a row after taking the Crossbone Classic last weekend at East Paulding.

Five other seniors also found their way to the medal stand for the Chiefs. Jessy Toscano (140) won second place, Jarrod Chamblee (119), Richard Hughes (130), Carl Scheumann (152) each finished in third and Jacob Worthington (171) finished in fourth.

A trio of sophomores each won second place medals in the tournament: Trent Shallow (103), Ricky Oskey (145) and Sean Carney (285).
Other wrestlers scoring points for the team were Javy Perez (125) and Jim Murrell at (135).

The Chiefs and Tigers, as well as Starr’s Mill and Whitewater, are back in action with the area 2-AAAA state qualifiers meet on Saturday hosted by McIntosh High School starting at 8:30 a.m.
Sandy Creek will wrestle in the area 6-AAA meet at Cass High School on Saturday.

Our Lady of Mercy and Landmark Christian will wrestle in the area 1-A state qualifiers tournament at Bowdon High School on Saturday.

Our Lady of Mercy Bobcats wrestler Will Simmons, a senior, scored three powerful pins on his way to securing a fourth place medal at the Bowdon High School Invitational Tournament.

“I’m very proud of Will. To climb his way to fourth place against 20 other powerful wrestling schools in this very competitive tournament shows a lot of heart.” said Coach Francis Giknis.

login to post comments