Athletes Beyond Bartow | Rosario strengthens national ranking; honors for Beasley accumulate
Sammy Rosario, a former Cass standout and now a nationally-ranked senior wrestler at NAIA Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, strengthened his individual standing January 5-6 at the National Wrestling Coaches Association Duals in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he went undefeated in five matches.
His recent performance along with the announcement of Vic Beasley, Jr.'s All-Pro selection highlights this week's review of Athletes Beyond Bartow.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY, JR. -- Atlanta Falcons (2nd year pro; Clemson University, Adairsville HS). . . already selected to the Pro Bowl, Beasley added his first Associated Press All-Pro selection. The former Tigers' standout and Clemson All-American, racked up 15.5 sacks and six forced fumbles this season. Both stats led the entire NFL. He is also the first Falcons' defender to ever lead the league in sacks. Atlanta (11-5) hosts the Seattle Seahawks Saturday afternoon in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
WRESTLING
EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (Jr., 149 wt. class, Cartersville HS). . . went 1-4 for the 17th-ranked Phoenix January 5-6 at the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, IN. The team went 3-2 facing five opponents ranked in the top 13 nationally and is now 8-2 in dual matches. The Phoenix hit the mats Wednesday at 14th-ranked Lindsey Wilson and travel to Southeastern University (FL) Saturday to face Southeastern and Ouachita Baptist.
SAMMY ROSARIO — Cumberland University (Sr., 133 wt. class, Cass HS). . . went undefeated in five matches at NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, IN as the Phoenix finished 3-2 as a team against five top-13 ranked opponents January 5-6. Rosario is the highest nationally ranked wrestler for Cumberland at No. 4 in the nation in the 133-pound weight class. Rosario is also the top-ranked individual at 133 in the East Regional. He has compiled an 18-4 mark during his senior campaign. The Phoenix, now 8-2 in dual matches, travel to 14th-ranked Lindsey Wilson Wednesday and go to 19th-ranked Southeastern University (FL) Saturday where they will also face Ouachita Baptist (AR).
JAKE HUFFINE — University Tennessee-Chattanooga (R-Soph., 133 wt. class, Woodland HS) . . . finished 1-2 at the Southern Scuffle January 1-2 hosted by the Mocs. Chattanooga placed 11th of 23 teams in the event won by top-ranked Oklahoma State. Huffine is now 7-6 during the 2016-17 season. Chattanooga will travel to Hampton, Virginia Friday and Saturday for the Virginia Duals.
SWIMMING
ELISE HART — Air Force (Jr., Cartersville HS). . . placed 17th in the 100 butterfly and 30th in the 100 backstroke at the University of California-San Diego Invitational January 2. The Air Force women finished sixth of six team with the host Lady Aztecs winning the event followed by Boise State and San Jose State. Air Force will host Seattle and North Carolina this Friday and Saturday, January 13-14.
BASKETBALL
SYDNEY BOYD — Brewton Parker College (Soph., G, Woodland HS) . . . scored four points with one rebound and one steal in a 71-67 win at William Carey University (MS) January 5. The Lady Barons also lost 62-56 Saturday at home to visiting Blue Mountain College (MS). Brewton-Parker (5-5, 2-3 Southern States Athletic Association) hosts Faulkner (AL) Thursday and Coastal Georgia College Monday, January 16.
A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State (PG/SG, Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . totaled six points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block as the Braves split a pair of SWAC home games January 2 and 4. Alcorn lost 67-65 to Texas Southern, but defeated Prairie View A&M 66-55. Alcorn State (4-9, 1-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) plays at Grambling State Monday and at Jackson State Wednesday before hosting Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.
ADRIAN RODGERS — Albas Oresund - Swedish Pro League (G, [Cartersville, GA] Centennial HS; Southern University). . . scored seven points with nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a 91-54 loss to KFUM Nassjo January 3. Albas Oresund (1-15) plays at Uppsala Tuesday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (G, Fresh., Excel Christian Academy). . . saw playing time in a pair of Bears’ wins January 3 at home over St. Andrews (NC) 94-71 and at Point University (GA) January 5, 88-79. Truett-McConnell (7-9, 3-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Reinhardt University Monday, plays at Union College (KY) January 11 and entertains Tennessee Wesleyan College on Saturday, January 14.
COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (G, Jr., Cartersville HS). . . scored 11 points and collected six rebounds January 5 in an 85-69 loss at Union College (KY). The Eagles (11-4, 5-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travel to Truett-McConnell University (GA) Monday and will host Milligan College (TN) and Bryan College (TN) Wednesday and Saturday.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Fr., F/C, Woodland HS). . . scored five points and grabbed a pair of rebounds in a 91-86 win at Armstrong State January 6. The Nighthawks (8-5, 4-0) host Peach Belt Conference foes USC-Aiken Monday, before traveling to Georgia College Wednesday and Francis Marion University (SC) on Saturday.
HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Soph., F, Cartersville HS) . . . scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds with three assists in a 74-67 loss at Bryan College (TN) January 3. He then scored 18 points with three rebounds and a steal in a home 88-79 loss to Truett-McConnell January 5. Point (2-15, 1-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Milligan College (TN) Monday, hosts Montreat College (NC) Wednesday, and travels to Bluefield College (VA) on Saturday.
Did we miss anyone this week? Please let us know. Use the ‘Contact’ link at the top of this page or Email: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. Follow all of your favorite local athletes using their link on the ‘Athletes Beyond Bartow’ page of this website.
