Cass wrestling team splits squad to finish runner-up in two separate varsity tournaments Saturday

The Cass High School Colonels wrestling team competed in two different varsity tournaments this past weekend and finished runner-up in both events. Cass coach D.L. Koontz said splitting the team into two squads builds depth and experience for his club. "We have some youth, so sending separate teams to two different tournaments helps us get our wrestlers ready for the tough area, sectional, and state tournaments we have to go through," noted Koontz. One group of Colonels went to the North Atlanta Warrior Classic. That group placed second as a team and placed 10 of the 11 attending wrestlers in a traditional style tournament.

Placing for the Colonels were:

4th place- Beau Smith, Rhett Moore, Jimmy Lang

3rd place- Josh Morris and Jody Holloman

2nd place- Nick Mills, Jaquavious Carter, Dillon Wihoit, and Tristan Purvine

1st place- Kendall Arnold

The remainder of the Colonels' wrestling team went to Ridgeland High School to compete in the annual Ridgeland Duals. Cass won its pool defeating Fort Payne, AL 52-18, Carrollton 59-18, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 68-12, and Armuchee 49-27 to reach the tournament champioship match against Baylor School of Chattanooga, TN. In a rematch of the Ridgeland Duals finals from the previous season, the Colonels came up two points short. Here is the individual breakdown of the championship match with Baylor:

138- C.Mauldin pinned by Baylor (0-6)

145-H.Quinn pinn Baylor (6-6)

152-T.Huskins pinned by Baylor (6-12)

160- K.Farmer pinned by Baylor (6-18)

170- H.Jones minor over Baylor (9-18)

182-C.Scrutchins pin Baylor (15-18)

195-T.Breeden wins by FF (21-18)

220-D.Huston pinned by Baylor (21-24)

285-S.Richards pinned by Baylor (21-30)

106-B.Mills pins Baylor (27-30)

113- Cass matches Baylors FF (27-30) double FF no points

120-D.Garrett bumped from 113 minors Baylor (30-30)

126-T.Pilcher Minors Baylor (33-30)

132-K.Depasquale technical fall to Baylor (33-35)

Koontz was pleased with his team's performance in both events and pointed to the exciting atmosphere during the final dual match against Baylor. "It was by far the best match of the day," said Koontz. "That match had everybody in the gym on edge. Our guys wrestled tough and did a great job representing their families and our school."

The Colonels hit the mats again Thursday at Sonoraville before hosting the Colonel Duals Saturday.