Ringgold finishes second at NGAC Duals
For the second consecutive year, the Trion Middle School Bulldogs proved themselves as the top dual match team in the North Georgia Athletic Conference as they captured the NGAC Duals championship Saturday at Gordon Lee Middle School.
The Ringgold Tigers would be the Bulldogs’ competition in the finals after the Tigers opened the day with wins over Chattanooga Valley (72-4) and Saddle Ridge (60-28).
However, the Bulldogs wasted no time establishing themselves in the championship match as they took the first four individual bouts, including five by pin, to stake themselves to a nearly insurmountable 33-0 lead.
Crawford Lee got things going for Trion with a 4-2 decision at 100 pounds. The five pins followed as Cohen Blaschke (108), Toby Maddox (115), Lane Harris (123), Gus Hames (130) and Logan Eller (140) all picked up the maximum six points.
Ringgold would win three of the next four matches in an attempt to get back into it. Levi Lowery (150), Destin Troutman (165) and Brent Lee Raby (180) all won by pinfall. Johnny Vasquez (220) got a pin for Trion, but Jayden Parks (285) would score a 4-2 decision for the Tigers, cutting Trion’s lead to 39-21.
However, Jason Jenkins would take the mat for Trion at 72 pounds and used a 15-0 technical fall to mathematically clinch the championship for the Bulldogs. Logan Potts (78) followed with a 6-2 decision to account for Trion’s final three points of the day.
Ringgold would finish things out with a pin by Gage Keener (86) and a 7-5 decision by Eric Jeffery (94) to account for their final nine points on the day.
Both teams will be among the favorites at the NGAC traditional tournament this Saturday at Lakeview Middle School. The Tigers are the defending champions in the traditionals.
In the third-place match, Heritage scored a 63-18 victory over Lafayette.
Saddle Ridge sweeps at home
The Mustangs took both ends of a tri-match this past Wednesday in Rock Spring with wins over Dade (57-30) and Gordon Lee (54-30).
Against the Wolverines, the Navy-and-red got pins from Jacob Bond (78 pounds), Levi Ledford (100), Ashton Fox (115) and Kaden Trejo (150). Nate Hines (220) bumped up and won a decision, while forfeit victories were scored by Jacob Hamilton (86), Mali Davis (130), Holden Ballew (165), Ethan Thurman (180) and Danny Lugo (275). Spencer Chadwick, Bentley Cannington and Ethan Gilbert all wrestled well in defeat, according to head coach Jacob Harris.
In exhibition matches, Malachi Miller won by decision. Gilbert and Drew Dean won by pin, while Harris praised Riley Ledford, Aaron Sullivan, Kayle Duncan, Carson Carpenter and Hayden Camp for their efforts.
Against the Trojans, Saddle Ridge used pins by Bond (78), Hamilton (86), Chadwick (94), Fox (115), Gilbert (123), Davis (130), Trejo (150) and Ballew (165) to score the win. Ledford (100) and Cannington (108) both won by decision.
Carpenter, Thurman and Nate Hines also wrestled well for the Mustangs.
Gordon Lee got pins by Timy Duke (140), Logan Webb (180) and Louis Pineda (220), a forfeit win by Austin Wyatt (72) and a final forfeit at heavyweight to account for its points.
In exhibition matches, Wyatt Blevins and Zachary Ellis won by pin for Saddle Ridge. Lugo earned a decision, while R.J. Harris wrestled and gave a solid effort.
Chattanooga Valley defeats Lakeview
The Eagles traveled to Lakeview on Thursday and picked up a 52-27 victory over the Warriors.
Gage Neal (72 pounds), Christian Duke (86), Ethan Doyal (94), Destin Wheeler (115), Joash Williams (130), Kevin Schmelzer (140) and Caleb Sain (165) all scored pins for the Eagles. Zach Walston (123) earned a major decision, while Carson Middleton (150) won by forfeit.
For the Warriors, Randy Burr (180) and Joey Burr (220) picked up victories by pinfall. Alex Fedorov (108) scored a win by decision, while Seth Mayberry (78) and Isiah Dowlen (HWT) won by forfeit.