By Erik Harris
PINSON – The Pinson Valley wrestling team finished up the home portion of its schedule with a, 74-0, win over Walker and a, 56-15, win over Minor on Thursday night in Mike Dutton Gymnasium.
The fifth-ranked Indians take a 20-1 record with them to the Jefferson County Tournament, which begins on Friday at McAdory. With a win in the upcoming tournament, head coach Gene Richardson and Pinson Valley would claim a fifth-consecutive county championship.
The Indians have swept their way through tournament play this season, securing first-place finishes in the Gardendale Invitational, Hartselle Invitational and Southside Invitational.
“The No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the state were at those tournaments and we finished above them,” said Richardson. “We’re trying to defend our county championship this weekend. If we defend it, it’ll be five years in a row.”
Richardson’s team will attempt to keep its championship streak alive with a young, but talented roster. 147-pound Zac Kusiak (18-11) and 154-pound Tate Brannan (28-5) are the only two senior starters.
“We can’t be much better than what we are right now,” said Richardson. “We only have two seniors that start, so next year could be (a little) better than this year. For us to be where we are is pretty impressive.”
Pinson Valley gets an abundance of wins from its junior class. Taylor Rhodes (287 pounds) has constructed a perfect 26-0 mark with 18 pins. 197-pound David Pike (17-5) has worked his way to 12 pins. Another junior, Zac Cole, holds a 20-9 record thus far. Cameron Hamby (128) and Josh Walker (122) have both grinded out 18 wins coming into this week.
Underclassmen such as sophomores Khymel Chaverst and Eric Rogers along with freshman George Vazquez have made an immediate impact. Chaverst (162) has locked down 16 pins on his way to a 23-6 overall record. Rogers (140) has provided 18 wins this season and Vazquez (108) has gone 26-6 with half of those wins coming by way of pin.
Pinson Valley’s lone loss of the season came against Class 6A’s top-ranked Arab.
Erik Harris is the Sports Editor for the Trussville Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @jeharris2 or email him at jmseharris2@gmail.com.