8-AA Wrestling Tournament

Cody Flores wins this match with a pin.

Elberton – The wrestling Patriots are in Elberton today taking part in the Area 8-AA wrestling tournament.  The entire region is there, Jefferson, North Oconee, East Jackson, Elbert, Dawson, etc. 

        The tournament started at 4:30pm with three mats in action.  Oglethorpe had eight wrestlers on hand to take part.  Up first was Dustin Morton who was defeated and went to the consolation bracket.  Kaden Conway was up next and pinned his opponent, which allowed him to advance to the second round in the championship bracket.  Cody Flores, in the 120lb class, made pretty quick work of his opponent with a second period pin.  Justin Whitman, too, pinned his opponent and moved on to the second round.

Justin Whitman manhandling his opponent. 

        Perhaps the most drama involving an OC wrestler was Andrew Maro’s match against a North Oconee wrestler.  Maro, within the first minute of the first period, jumped out to 5-0 and nearly pinned his opponent.  Through the middle of the period both wrestlers could not gain any advantage on the other.  It was at the end of the period that North Oconee quickly scored 5 points and then nearly pinned Maro, who was saved by the clock.

        In the second period the North Oconee wrestler scored points on Maro but Maro kept up a good defense until the end of the period when Maro was almost pined again.

        Going into the third period the match was still up in the air with both wrestlers working hard to gain an advantage.  However, Maro was tiring and the North Oconee wrestler  finally managed to pin Maro at 1:04 left in the match.  Maro moved on to the second round in the consolation bracket.

        Tee Hull, OC’s last wrestler at the meet received a bye in the first round.

        The tournament continues tomorrow at 9:00am at The Inferno in Elberton.