Weaver (AL – Weaver overcomes disappointment at Calhoun County Tournament and wins physical day in Rumble In the Jungle
RUMBLE in the JUNGLE Team scores: Weaver 183, Dora 173.5 and Ranburne 171, New Hope 19.5; Cleburne County 101, Oxford 101, Saks 85. Madison County 82.5. Pleasant Valley 76.5. St. John Paul II 75, ASB 63.5. Piedmont 54. Montevallo 38. Wellborn 38.
Al Muskewitz
Andy Fulmer’s attitude changed drastically from the beginning of the week. He left the gym on Monday feeling glum about the performance of his Weaver team in the Calhoun County Tournament. Not sure if he would make it to the weekend’s event. After his Bearcats won Cleburne County’s Rumble in The Jungle, he was energized and happy.
The Beacats position changed throughout the day. They were up to 20 points early and tied midway through consolation semifinals. But they were down to less than five as there are only a few matches left.
They entered the championship session leading by 15 points and have not lost a single point. They eventually won the big red trophy over Dora.
Fulmer stated, “I was disappointed after County” because all my children who lost weight and wrestled as hard as they were supposed to did. It’s disappointing to have a couple that didn’t do their job. Fulmer said that one of the children was able wrestle today and did a good job overall.
“When you win a tournament, it is a great feeling. But when you win this tournament, it is a good feeling because there’s some good teams. Many of the best teams are there. It is a great feeling to know that we came in, and that we wrestled hard. It’s hard because it’s so brutal and physically demanding. It’s a win-win situation. You will leave with some hardware, but no serious injuries.
The Bearcats ended up in a dogfight against Dora and Ranburne. They had five finalists across four weight classes, and they won two. Dora had four finalist and won three of them, one with the Bearcats. But, they never beat them. Ranburne won the finals match, and earned points from three consolation finalists. However, Ranburne finished 2.5 points behind Dora.
Fulmer stated, “I’m going be open with you, because I couldn’t get the phone to pull up so I was just going by what everyone else was doing.” “You know County was like the turning-point for us last year so hopefully, the little bit disappointment we had Monday might lead to some bigger things.”
The Bearcats won the title with Joshua Johannson’s pin on Zack Buchanan, Ranburne’s Zack Buchanan, in the 172 final. Buchanan was close to pining the senior undefeated Weaver in the third period. Buchanan then wriggled away and the two traded points until Johannson dropped the hammer with 45 seconds remaining.
Johannson stated, “That last match was fascinating because that’s one the closest matches I’ve had this season.” He came down from 82 to 70, and I’ve never faced him before. It was really beneficial because it allowed me to see the areas that need improvement.
“I believe I was tired, so that was why I thought the match was important. I think it was especially important for me to see how far I could push myself and still get up and try to win. It was also a good sign that I will push the team as hard as possible to win.
Champion matches
108: Dalton Fink (Weaver) maj. dec. over Haiden Hise (Weaver), 11-1
115: Jayden Rouse (Dora) pinned Trent Hopkins (Saks), 1:21
122: Adrian Waugh, New Hope, pins Ricky Weaver ASB (1:43).
128: Izak Du (Piedmont), dec. Nathan Cox, (Madison County),
134: Damon Clayton, Dora) maj. Dec. over Julian Lowe, St. John Paul II, 11-0
140: Austen Mayfield (Cleburne County), pinned Gianluca Tores (Weaver), 3;40
147: Jack Von Eschenbach (St. John Paul II) pinned Noah Screws (Wellborn), 3:51
154: Garrett Howell (Oxford) pinned Ny’dariun Jones (ASB), 3:40
162: Ricky Toney, New Hope, pins Delvin Taylor (Dora),
172: Joshua Johannson (Weaver) pinned Zack Buchanan (Ranburne), 5:15
184: Jonathan Foster (Dora), tech fall over Anthony Usry(Weaver), 20-5 (5.46)
197: Mason Ellis (Madison County), pinned Cameron Richardson, (Dora), 3:12
222: Xavier Deramus (Oxford) dec. Chrisjohn Gurley (Piedmont), 9-4
287: Carson Hall (Ranburne), pinned Caleb Tinner, (Oxford), 6/34
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Jack Von Eschenbach, St. John Paul II
Best Match, 287 final: Carson Hall pinned Caleb Tinner at Oxford (6:34).
The Best Match
The tournament’s best match was saved for the end, despite having many matches that were close.
Joshua Johannson, Weaver’s 172 title match, thought it was deserving of the honor – and it got some consideration. However, the tournament’s top match was the heavyweight final between Ranburne’s Carson Hall and Oxford’s Caleb Tinner.
Hall won the pin with an extra time penalty after Tinner, undefeated reigning state champion, was on his back and in danger to be pinned.
Hall stated that it was very tense. It’s crazy how it feels to be on your back. Every nerve in your body tells you to ignore it and keep going.
“He is incredibly strong and a great wrestler. I enjoyed it immensely. I love competition. They should be in 4A, so I could again wrestle him.”
Tinner placed Hall in a cradle in the third period, but could not hold it long enough to secure the pin. Hall managed to get free of Tinner’s grip and tie the match with a move close to the edge. There were 43 seconds remaining. Hall won the match in overtime after he lifted the Oxford senior from the mat and dropped it. He completed the pin just moments later.
Tinner stated, “That was easily the most intense match of the entire year and the most enjoyable I have wrestled, too easily.” It was an amazing match all around.
It felt great, especially after all the people who came up to me after the match and told me that they had never seen anyone push him so far. They also helped him get into a cradle. Even though I lost, it gave me a lot of pride to have taken him that far.
Best Wrestler
Jack VonEschenbach, St. John Paul II’s 147 champion, was voted Most Outstanding Wrestler. He won his four matches by securing three pins and a technical fall in 15 minutes, 15 seconds. He pinned Noah Screws of Wellborn in the finals (3.51). He is now 27-2 for the season.
Six wrestlers maintained their undefeated records throughout the tournament: Dora115 Jayden Rouse (32-0), Dora134 Damon Clayton (30-0), Cleburne County140 Austen Mayfield (22-0), Johannson (22-0), Dora184 Jonathan Foster (6-6) and Hall (22-0).
Michael Pruitt Invitational
ARAB- Logan Whittemore placed second at 147, while two other Southside wrestlers took fourth. This helped the Panthers to finish ninth in the Michael Pruitt Invitational.
Whittemore defeated Tommy Manakides of Pell City in 2:43. He then lost an 18-2 technical defeat to Noah Schilleci from Pelham in the championship match. Peyton Adams (134), and Patrick DeLopez 115 finished fourth in respective weight classes.
Alexandria was recently crowned Calhoun County champion.
MICHAEL PRUITT INVITATIONAL
Scores for team: Nolensville 212.5; McAdory 191, Pelham 162, Arab 162.5; Hartselle 162.5; Mortimer Jordan 162, Pell city 118.5, Fort Payne 128. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 119. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 118. Fort Payne 36, Westminster Christian
