SPRINGFIELD — Pierce County’s grapplers placed third here Saturday in the two-day, 17-team, 24th annual Rebel Invitational hosted by Effingham County.
The Bears’ Andrew Watkins (132 lbs.) and David Lyons (215) each finished second in their respective weight classes in the double elimination brackets.
Cooper Davis (138) placed fourth, Samuel Thompson (126) was fifth and Gregg Sallett (120) finish sixth to lead PCHS.
South Effingham captured the team title December 14 in the event held at the Clarence E. Morgan Complex totaling 334.5 points. The Mustangs were followed by Richmond Hill (294.5), the Gators (288), host Effingham County (189.5),and Pierce County (130.5) in the top five spots.
Following PCHS were Blufton, S.C. (121), Calvary Day (119), South Effingham “B” (109), Jenkins of Savannah (104), Benedictine (99), New Hampstead (69.5), Richmond Hill “B” (60.5), Screven County (59.5), Bishop England, S.C. (49.5), Islands of Savannah (46), Greenbrier (45.5) and Metter (7).
Watkins (132; 25-8) reached the finals, winning his first two matches via pin (36 seconds, 2:57). He posted an 8-4 decision in the semifinals before losing via pin (3:28) to South Effingham’s Emillo Santana (29-1).
Lyons (215; 34-2) posted pin victories (2:52, 35 sec., 4:21) through his first three matches. He lost via pin (5:36) to Clavary Day’s Davis Richardson (13-1) in the finals.
Davis (138; 28-10) posted a 17-0 technical fall decision in his opener won by pin (1:14) in the quarterfinals. He lost a 14-12 decision in the semis to eventual champion Alarik Gibson (16-1). Davis notched a loser’s bracket victory before falling by pin (5:06) to Richmond Hill’s Braden Stallings.
Thompson (126; 16-11) opened with three straight pin wins (2:40, 3:21, 3:36) before losing in the semifinals to eventual runner-u DeMarion Zanders (24-10) of Ware County. Following a second loss, Thompson pinned (1:25) Luke White of Richmond Hill in the fifthplace match.
Sallett (120; 6-19) won his opening match via pin (1:32) before losing a 17-1 technical fall in the semis to Benedictine’s Aiden Simmons (31-11). After a second loss, Sallett fell again to Simmons in the fifthplace match via pin (2:00).
PCHS’s other participants who did not place by losing their second match in the loser’s bracket.
Cody Ammons (106) won his first match via pin (1:03) before falling in the quarterfinals to by pin (1:36).
Caden Sloan (113) posted a pin (3:14) in his opening match before being pinned (16 seconds) in the quarterfinals.
Roy Carter (138) was pinned (2:50) in his opening match.
Ralph Williams (144) lost via pin (15 sec.) in his first match.
Elijah Dixon (150) suffered a pin loss (1:24) in the first round.
Blake McKenzie (157) fell via pin (19 sec.) in his first round matchup. Cameron Tyre (165) captured a pin win (1:06) before losing via pin (55 sec.) in the quarterfinals.
Greyson Sikes (190) dropped a 51 decision in the first round.
