Twenty-four high school wrestling teams came out to the Panther Invitational over the weekend, with the Mat Panthers of JCCHS bringing home seventh place in their home meet, scoring two first place championships, along with a second place.
Kevin Spicer took top honors in the 152 lb. class, while Ryan Howe scored first in the 189 lb. class. Jacob Hyder placed second in the 215 lb. category.
Coach Jason Powers said he was very proud of his three placers.
“They beat some very tough wrestlers on their way to the finals and then put on a good show in the finals.”
Powers said Spicer’s toughest match of the tournament came on Saturday morning with a major decision over Jesse Figureoa of West Laurens. Spicer went on to pin Thomas Sears of Commerce in the finals.
Howe had a very dominant performance throughout the tournament with three pins and a major decision.
Howe beat Zach Allen, from Jefferson in the finals.
“The first period was very close but then Howe opened up and dominated the match and finished it with a pin,” Powers said.
Powers said Hyder had a very good tournament as well finishing second after sitting out last season.
“Hyder has been an excellent addition to our team this year and will play a critical part of the team’s success throughout the year,” he said.
Powers said he knew his athletes had a chance to finish as high as fourth in the tournament, but it would take an entire team effort.
“Our younger wrestlers had some success in a very tough tournament and now they know what they must do to be among the best wrestlers in the state,” he said.
Ryan Shekey made it to the semi-finals in the 112 lb. class on Saturday morning, but then lost two tough matches, coming up just short of placing.
Charles Smothers made a run for the podium in the 171 lb. class, but lost just two rounds before the placement rounds.
There were other obstacles as well, Powers said.
“Our 125 was seeded fifth going into the tournament and did not make weight on Friday morning,” Powers said. “That cost us about 8 points, had he finished where he was seeded, and this really hurt us as a team.”
The Panthers were scheduled to travel to Clarke Central for a match Tuesday night. Results were unavailable at press time.
Next up for the Mat Panthers is a trip to Alpharetta to take part in the USMC Raider Rumble on Friday and Saturday.
