MCDONOUGH — Ware County's wrestling program garnered a fifth-place tie during the two-day, 16-team Class 4A Duals championship tournament here at Ola High School.
The Gators put together a 3-2 mark during the double-elimination finals with a quarterfinal 51-24 loss Friday, January 16 to Ola and a 41-30 loser's bracket semifinal loss Saturday, January 17 to Harris County.
Ware County opened with a 41-36 victory over North Oconee Friday. The Gators beat regionmate Wayne County 41-32 in their first match Saturday in the loser's bracket. They followed with a 47-36 decision over Central- Carroll in the consolation bracket quarterfinals.
Woodland-Cartersville claimed the title beating defending champion Cass. Walnut Grove knocked off Harris County in the third-place match. Ware County and Ola tied for fifth.
Gators............................41 North Oconee ................36 Ware County used a fivepoint technical fall as the difference in beating the Titans.
Each team won five matches via pin. North Oconee collected two decisions while the Gators recorded a forfeit and a technical fall.
Recording pin wins were Jordan Maxwell (120 lbs.; 2:29), Rodrigo Reyes (126, 1:09), Jordan McKelvin (144; 3:11), Gunter Fore (165; 1:51) and Collin Deal (175; 4:57). Aaron Bennett (150) recorded the technical fall decision. Michael Collins (113) won via forfeit.
Losing by pin were Ashton Cox (106; 35 seconds), Damarion Zanders (132; 1:57), Colton Miller (190; 48 sec.), Jalen Hampton (215; 2:49) and Kyler Matthews (285; 1:43). Evan Thomas (138; 9-2) and Maleek Mackey (157; 13-9) suffered losses by decision.
Quarterfinals Ola .................................51 Gators ...........................24 The Mustangs captured 10 of the 14 matches winning five by pin, three by technical fall and posting two decisions against Ware County.
The Gators' four victories were all by pinfall. Notching the wins were Ashton Cox (106; 14 sec.), Jordan Maxwell (113; 46 sec.), Rodrigo Reyes (126; 1:41) and Kyler Matthews (285; 52 sec.).
Ware County had a string of nine consecutive weight class losses from 132 lbs. to 215 lbs. Suffering pins were Leve Moore (120; 2:49), Evan Thomas (138; 1:28), Gunter Fore (165; 1:51), Colton Miller (190; 1:50) and Jaden Hampton (215; 1:44).
Falling by technical fall were Aaron Bennett (20-3), Taishawn Muchison (21-6) and Collin Deal (175; 19-4). Wesley Frye (132; 75) and Jaden McKelvin (144; 1917) lost decisions.
Loser’s bracket Gators............................41 Wayne County ...............32 Ware County built its point total on five pins, a technical fall and a default in knocking off the Yellow Jackets.
Posting pinfall wins were Jordan Maxwell (113; 1:25), Noah Paul (120; 55 sec.), Evan Thomas (144; 2:41), Charles Sams (150; 1:59) and Colton Miller (215; 54 sec.). Jalen Hampton (190) won by default while Damarion Zanders (132, 20-3) posted a technical fall decision.
Losing via pin were Chase Briggs (126; 1:21), Collin Deal (175; 4:43) and Kyler Matthews (285; 4:59). Wesley Frye (138) lost a 12-1 major decision with John Sholtis (165) suffering a 19-4 technical fall.
Ashton Cox (106) fell 41 in sudden victory. Aaron Bennett (157) dropped a 10-9 decision.
Loser’s bracket Quarterfinals Gators.....................47 Central-Carroll.......36 The Gators used seven pins and a technical fall to offset Central-Carroll’s six pins.
Recording pin wins were Damarion Zanders (132; 1:15), Evan Thomas (138; 1:30), Jaden McKelvin (144; 3:44), Aaron Bennett (150; 2:51), Gunter Fore (165; 1:07), Collin Deal (175; 2:36) and Jalen Hampton (190; 3:29). Jordan Maxwell (113) recorded a 17-0 technical fall.
Suffering pin losses were Ashton Cox (106; 1:33), Noah Paul (120; 3:40), Rodrigo Reyes (126; 4:39), Charles Sams (157; 1:32), Colton Miller (215; 1:06) and Kyler Matthews (285; 1:22).
Loser’s bracket Semifinals Harris Co. ...............41 Gators ....................30 Ware County bid for a top three finish ended at the hands of Harris County.
Posting wins by pin were Damarion Zanders (132; 3:32) and Aaron bennett (150; 1:35). Winning via technical fall were Jordan Maxwell (113; 18-1), Jaden McKelvin (144; 16-1) and Gunter Fore (165; 16-1).
Rodrigo Reyes (126) recorded a 15-8 decision. Evan Thomas (138) was leading 7-5 and was awarded a medical forfeit.
Losing by pin were Ashton Cox (106; 54 sec.), Collin Deal (175; 3:47), Colton Miller (215; 1:10) and Kyler Matthews (285; 3:39). Charles Sams (157; 13-11) and Jalen Hampton (190; 4-3) fell via decision. Noah Paul (120) lost by a 15-0 technical fall.
