The four

county wrestling teams hit the road last weekend, some of

the teams traveling as far as Alabama and Florida. They

were looking for experience. They were looking to stay

sharp for Tuesday's County Championship.

Sandy Creek

traveled to the North Marion Invitational in Citra, Fla.

The Patriots placed fourth in the dual meet on Friday,

winning two matches and losing one, and placed sixth in

the individual meet. There were eight teams at the

tournament and Sandy Creek was the only team from

Georgia.

John Hilton

placed first overall at 103 and is, as Coach Damian

Belvedere says, "Getting tougher every week."

Ryan Stanfield placed second overall at 130, while Larry

Wright (135), Mutee Patrick (112), and Kerry Ruffin (125)

all placed third. Joey Singleton (119) and Erland

Hunstadt both placed fourth. "It was a really good

experience for the kids," said Coach Belvedere.

"They're starting to wrestle smarter and go for

points. They are more controlled."

Starr's

Mill traveled to Birmingham, Ala. to wrestle in the

Hoover Invitational over the weekend. The Panthers faced

some of the top programs from Alabama, Louisiana and

Tennessee, including Huntsville, Vestavia, Homewood,

Hoover and Scottsboro. They placed second out of 12 teams

and had five placers in the tournament.

Christopher

Coleman (145) was the only first place finisher, while

Drew Cofty (152) and Ariston Bowers (140) each placed

second. Jason Kiefer placed third overall at 130, as did

Clint Barbour at 215. Everybody on the team wrestled in

three matches on Friday and then the winners wrestled on

Saturday. Many panther wrestlers wrestled six times over

the weekend. Starr's Mill will wrestle in the Dalton

Carpet Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Fayette

County wrestled in a two day event at Murray County over

the weekend. Friday night's action came in the form of a

dual meet and Saturday's format was an individual meet.

The Tigers placed third overall on Friday, going 3-1, and

fifth overall on Saturday. The team was missing some of

their teammates due to illness and had several younger

wrestlers in the lineup. The Tigers wrestled four times

on Friday and between four and five matches on Saturday.

Brad West

(140) and Nick Salters (160) each placed second overall,

while Jarrod Bailey (135) finished third overall. His

loss came to a frequent opponent from Troup County. It

was his first loss to him.

McIntosh

wrestled at the War Eagle Invitational at Woodward

Academy. The Chiefs placed fifth out of 11 teams and had

only two first place finishers in the tournament, Ricky

Smith (112) and Eddie Smith (130). McIntosh will host the

McIntosh Duals on Saturday with wrestling beginning at 9

a.m.