By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
19 wrestlers from Center Point, Clay-Chalkville, Hewitt-Trussville, Leeds, Moody, Pinson and Springville will be heading to north Alabama this weekend.
The AHSAA State Wrestling championship takes place February 15-17 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.
Center Point, 6A:
Malik Brown, senior, 215 pound, 16-2
“Malik has done really well this winter season with balancing his basketball and wrestling load,” said Center Point head coach Heath Butler. “Most kids can’t handle it.”
“He had a strong tournament this past weekend at the 6A North sectionals.”
“Unfortunately, he had a bye in the first round that led to him having to hang out awhile before his first match in the quarterfinals.”
“I truly believe he doesn’t get upset that round if having a “warm up” type match.”
“After losing a close 8-6 match, he pulled off four straight wins to place third.”
“He even pinned the Mae Jemison wrestler for third place that beat him in the championship quarters,” Butler said.
“We’re looking forward to a solid week of practice to build on to his foundation for this upcoming state tournament.”
Clay-Chalkville, 6A:
Morgan Beard, freshman, 120 pound, 17-12
Riley Cornutt, freshman, 150 pound, 22-6
Adrian Spivey, senior, 215 pound, 22-10
“Adrian Spivey has been a great addition to the team,” said Colby Carlisle, the Clay-Chalkville head coach.
“He was a part of both football state title runs, so he knows how to win and what it takes to be successful.”
“Morgan Beard has been the leader on this team, and as a freshman, that’s very difficult. He has gotten substantially better as a wrestler over the last month, so we’re looking forward to what state holds.”
“Riley Cornutt had a good sectional tournament. He gets better each week and has an opportunity to make some noise this weekend.”
Hewitt-Trussville, 7A:
Gavin Bittle, sophomore, 106 pound, 43-18
Clark Box, senior, 120 pound, 36-4
Bradley Hastings, junior, 126 pound, 23-5
Ian Hodgin, sophomore, 132 pound, 33-24
Jacob Triplett, senior, 157 pound, 21-4
Charlie Buttiker, junior, 165 pound, 31-4 Delvecchio Alston, sophomore 190 pound, 26-7
Zack Chatman, senior, 285 pound, 49-6
“I am really excited for our eight wrestlers that qualified for the AHSAA state tournament this coming weekend,” said Hewitt coach Chris Pike.
“All eight of them finished in the top three this past weekend in the sectional tournament, which is a very tough thing to do.”
“I am looking forward to the challenge of seeing them all compete this weekend with the hopes of placing at state and possibly even winning a state title.”
“I believe in our guys,” he said.
Leeds, 5A:
Sean Bianca, junior, 113 pound, 34-9
Hunter Scott, senior, 190 pound, 32-5
“Hunter and Sean are two hard working kids,” said Leeds wrestling coach Toren Pollard.
“Sean is a two-year wrestler who has qualified for state both years; he continues to get better and better every year.”
“Hunter has been wrestling his entire life, and he will finish his high school career this weekend in Huntsville.”
“He has pushed himself to be the best year after year, and hopefully, this weekend, he can accomplish what he’s been striving for all this time.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of these two. Their journeys are completely different, but they found a way to make a huge impact for Leeds on the mat during their time here,” Pollard said.
“They deserve all they get, and I feel that this weekend, all the work they have put in will show.”
Moody, 5A:
Brynn Jenkins, senior, 106 pound, 30-16
Grant Long, senior, 132 pound, 28-13
Logan Hall, senior, 285 pound, 37-2
Brynn has had a great senior campaign,” said Moody wrestling coach TD Marshall.
“He has overcome a lot of adversity throughout the year and has come out on top of his bracket during sectionals with a first-place finish.”
“Grant is looking to bounce back after suffering a loss at sectionals and finishing second.”
“After getting his 200th career win, Logan has been racking them up.”
“He finished first at sectionals with all of his matches ending in the first period by pin.”
“He is in a mission to finally win the state tournament as this will be his fifth time in the state tournament,” said Marshall.
Pinson, 6A:
La Garius Ephraim, senior, 165 pound, 20-8
Steven Andrews, senior, 175 pound, 37-14
Steven and La Garius have worked really hard this wrestling season, leading to sectional where they both placed for the first time in this event,” said Pinson head coach Myrna Cintron.
“At the state sectional event, they placed in the top six to become state qualifiers.”
“We are proud of these two young men and can’t wait to see what they do this week,” said Cintron.
Springville, 5A
Landon McKendree, junior, 215 pound, 38-17
“He’s a second-year wrestler who’s working on thirty-plus wins,” said Springville head coach Jacob Brown.
“He has an honest chance to place.”
Brown says that he has a trait that stands out. “He’s coachable. He’s willing to learn. He never stops trying to learn.”