Ware County’s grapplers placed third here Saturday in the two-day, 17-team, 24th annual Rebel Invitational hosted by Effingham County with two members winning individual titles.
Gunter Fore (175 lbs.) and Cameron Hickox (190) went undefeated in their respective weight classes. The Gators also had two runner-ups, three to finish third, two placing fourth and three finishing fifth.
DeMarion Zanders (126) and Kaden Drury (157) finished second. Steve Valdez (106), Rodrigo Reyes (132) and Jaden McKelvin (150) placed third. Aaron Bennett (144) and David Muchison (165) finished fourth. T.J. Bullock (113), Evan Thomas (138) and Kyler Matthews (285) were fifth.
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), 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).
Earlier in the week, the Gators split matches at Lowndes High falling to the host Vikings 42-36 and beating Thomas County Central 54-24 Tuesday, December 10.
Lowndes ................42 Gators....................36
VALDOSTA — Two decisions proved to be the difference lifting the Vikings over Ware County.
The Gators notched five wins via pin and one by forfeit (six points each). Lowndes recorded six pin wins and two three-point decisions.
Posting pin wins for Ware County were Laith Lairsey (138 lbs.; 3:12), Jaden McKelvin (150; 2:58), David Muchinson (165; 49 seconds), Gunter Fore (175; 56 sec.) and Cameron Hambrick (190; 3:04). Landon Phillips (106) won by forfeit.
Falling via pin fall were Stephen Valdez (113; 1:13), Noah Paul (120; 3:24), Rodrigo Reyes (132; 3:16), Evan Thomas (144; 1:23), Kaden Drury (157; 1:55) and Kyler Matthews (285; 2:37).
Damarion Zanders (126) lost a 12-5 decision with Jalen Hampton (215) falling 7-1.
Gators....................54 TCC........................24
VALDOSTA — The Gators capitalized on five forfeits in beating Thomas County Central.
Ware County won four matches by pin getting victories from Damarion Zanders (126; 2:24), David Muchinson (165; 27 sec.), Gunter Fore (175; 19 sec.) and Jalen Hampton (215; 59 sec.).
Forfeits were recorded by Stephen Valdez (106), Noah Paul (120), Rodrigo Reyes (132), Cameron Hambrick (190) and Kyler Matthews (285).
Losing by pin were T.J. Bullock (113, 3:06), Laith Lairsey (138; 38 sec.) and Evan Thomas (144; 2:37). Dropping decisions were Jaden McKelvin (150; 2114) and Kaden Drury (157; 14-8).
Lady Gators
Emalee Hendrix (125) notched a pin win against Lowndes with Emmelee Haddock (130) falling by pin against TCC.
WCHS JV
Chase Briggs (132) recorded a pin against Lowndes and lost a 4-0 decision to the Yellow Jackets. Ryan Tarver (132) fell 6-5 in his match against Lowndes. Wesley Frye (132) won by pin and lost a 9-5 decision in matches against the Vikings.
Brody Wood (138) recorded a pin in his match. Aaron Bennett (144) recorded a pin and lost a 3-0 decision in matches against Lowndes. Charles Thrift (144) posted a 10-7 decision against the Vikings.
Charles Sams (150) recorded a pin against TCC. Jadon Halladay (150) posted an 11-5 decision against Lowndes. Bennett Thorderson (150) notched a pin victory.
Andy Ignacio (157) picked up a pin win against the Yellow Jackets. Maleek Mackey (157) recorded a pin against Lowndes.
Leland Nettles (165) had a pin against the Vikings. Alex Velasco (165) lost by pin against Lowndes. Kenny Ward (165) had a pin victory against Lowndes.
Willie Van (175) posted a 17-4 major decision against the Vikings. Tyler Boyd (175) lost by pin to Lowndes.
TeShaun Wilson (215) lost by pin and won via pin in matches with the Vikings. Nick Grant (285) posted a 10-5 overtime decision against Lowndes, won by pin against TCC and won via pin against the Vikings.
Rebel Invitational
SPRINGFIELD — The Gators recorded 12 top five finishes in the 14 weight classes.
Fore (175) won three of his four matches via pin including the championship match (3:43). He posted pin wins (45 seconds, 2:55) in his first two matches before recording a 17-1 technical fall decision in the semis.
Hambrick (190) notched three pins (2:00, 1:55, 2:53) in his first three matches and posted a 9-1 major decision in the finals.
Zanders (126) reached the finals with three pins under 45 seconds (:44, :37, :34). He lost via pin (2:55) in the championship match.
Drury (157) opened with consecutive pins (2:00, 1:02) and recorded a 9-8 decision in the semifinals. He lost by a 21-5 technical fall in the finals.
Valdez (106) went 4-1 after winning the thirdplace match via pin (5:29). He won his first two matches by fall (2:00, 3:25) before falling by pin (2:31) in the semifinals.
Reyes (132) opened with two pins (4:56, 2:33) before losing an 8-4 decision in the semis. He won his third-place match via pin (4:26).
McKelvin (150) followed the same path winning twice by pin (1:44, 1:51) before suffering a pin defeat (5:49) in the semis. He captured the thirdplace match via pin (4:29).
Bennett (144) dropped his opening match via pin (2:36) and battled back through the loser’s bracket to reach the third-place match where he lost a 123 major decision.
Muchison (165) posted a 20-second pin win in his opener before falling via pin (3:30). He lost the third-place match falling by a 12-3 major decision.
Bullock (113) notched a 14-13 decision in the quarterfinals before falling by pin (42 sec.) in the semis. After a second loss in the loser’s bracket, Bullock recorded a pin (5:08) in the fifth-place match.
Thomas (138) won his first two matches by pin (1:41, 3:35) before falling by a 13-3 major decision in the semis. Following a second loss, he bounced back for a pin win (3:10) in the fifth-place match.
Matthews (285) recorded a 30-second pin in his opening match before losing a 13-5 major decision. A second setback was followed by a pin (1:26) in the fifth-place match.
