Panthers take consolation bracket title in Louisiana Ramblers go 3-2 in Calhoun
The Ridgeland Mat Panthers traveled all the way to Louisiana to participate in the Deep South Bayou Duals over the weekend.
Ridgeland went 2-3 in pool matches against five different clubs from Louisiana. They defeated North Vermilion (53-24) and Archbishop Hannan (64-18), but they suffered tough losses to Saint Amant (4128), Fontainebleau (42-39) and perennial powerhouse Brother Martin (48-28).
However, the Panthers bounced back the next day to go 4-0 and win the consolation bracket.
Ridgeland defeated Southern University Laboratory School (66-6) and Acadiana (50-24) before avenging a Thursday loss to Fontainebleau (39-31). They capped the day with a 45-27 win over John Curtis Christian in the consolation finals.
Jordan Hughley went 9-0 for the Panthers wrestling at both 138 and 145 pounds. He finished with two technical falls, a pair of major decisions and four pins. Dylan Swanson (160) also went 9-0 with six pins and a pair of forfeits.
Ryan McGill (170/182) went 8-1 on the weekend, scoring six pins, while Evan Burnette (152) also went 8-1 with six pins and a minor decision.
Hunter Smith (126) and Aiden Raymer (132) were both 7-2, while Ethan Morgan (195/220) was 6-3, while Kyle Brown (170/182) was 5-2.
Garrett Romans (106), Dagon Turner (113), Preston Perrault (113/120), Dylan Fowler (182) and T.J. Adkins (285) also wrestled for the Panthers.
“Overall we didn’t wrestle bad,” head coach Keith Mariakis said. “Having to bump around to fill in for three (missing) starters gave our kids a chance to learn about wrestling smart and the importance of bonus points.”
Jefferson (Ga.) won the championship bracket with a 60-15 win over Pigeon Forge (Tenn.).
The Dragons, a perennial state power, went unbeaten over the weekend with all blowout victories, never giving up more than 15 points in any of their matches.
The LaFayette Ramblers finished 3-2 and placed fourth after the crossover matches during Saturday’s Calhoun Duals.
LaFayette’s victories came against LFO (5120), Pepperell (57-24) and Fannin County (48-35), while their lone pool match loss came to Carrollton (44-42). They dropped a 39-21 decision to Rockmart in the crossover match.
Avery Sullivan (113) was 5-0 with four pins. Tyler Beard (182) was 5-0 with two pins, while Cody Deal (220) also went 5-0 with a major decision.
Cameron Hollingsworth (160) had four wins, all by pin, while Steven Sanford (120) won four matches by forfeit.
Hunter Deal (145) had three wins with two pins, while Carson Lanier (126) and Matthew Wallin (285) each had three wins with one pin.
Jake Price (138), J.J. Muder (138) and Brady Beard (152) each won a match by pin.