By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

The Morgan County High School (MCHS) wrestling team hosted its own tournament, the Morgan County Christmas Classic, last Friday and Saturday. The MCHS team placed third overall in points among the schools and produced three first place finishers: Austin Ross, Stewart Spence and Bailey Ross.

Morgan County compiled 232 over the course of the two-day tournament, a total that was only outdone by Banks County and Roswell, who scored 260.5 and 246.5 points, respectively.
Being in close contact with good wrestlers from bigger schools is exactly what Coach John Robbins had in mind for his wrestlers in this tournament.

“Overall our tourney is a great chance for all of our kids to get what they need,” began Robbins. “Young guys are able to get some much needed mat time, while our studs have a chance to see some great wrestlers from big schools like Roswell and McEachern, as well as some in-class rivalries with Banks, Jackson Co., and Oconee.”

Oconee, who Morgan County beat in a dual earlier in the week placed fourth overall with 206 points.
Although many of Morgan County’s wrestlers ended up scoring well – eight of the 27 wrestlers for Morgan County placed fourth or higher in their weight classes – Coach Robbins noticed a stall in the team as a whole on the first day of the competition.

“We definitely didn't get off to a good start on Friday, but I was more than pleased with the way our guys competed on Saturday.  With 13 medalists out of 14 weight classes, I think we are starting to see some real improvement across the board.”

Clayton Bearden, Jack Leclair and Jeremy Worth all placed fourth in their weight classes with 3-2 records in the tournament.

Quentavious Jackson’s 5-1 record earned him a third place finish, and Carter Shultz got second with a 3-1 record and wins against wrestlers from Evans, Madison County and Burke County.
Austin Ross’ first place finish was the result of a perfect 3-0 record in the 182-pound weight class. Austin executed well; his three matches ended in two pins and a technical pin against wrestlers from Banks County, McEachern, and Habersham Central.

In the 195-pound weight class, Stewart Spence placed first. Spence’s pin against Burke County, major decision against Banks County, and pin against Roswell put him to the top in only three matches, as well.

Not to be outdone by his brother, Bailey Ross took the gold in his weight class (220-pound). Bailey’s first two wins both came from pins, the first against Madison County and the second against McEachern, and his last was a 7-2 decision against Oconee County.

After a successful week, both in the dual against Oconee earlier in the week and Christmas Classic tournament, the MCHS wrestling team faces the Banks County and Monroe Area High Schools at MCHS on Tuesday and will be competing in the Fifth Annual Eric Hill Memorial tournament at Loganville High School.

Printed in the December 13, 2012 edition