Courtesy of Becky Staples Photography
Ashville came in third at the Class 1A-4A North Super Sectional Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Birmingham CrossPlex Bill Harris Arena. The Bulldogs compiled 187.5 points to place behind Weaver with 258 and Corner 207.5.
The top six finishers in each weight class from the two-day sectional tournament in Classes 1A-4A, 6A and 7A advance to next week’s AHSAA state Tournament at Huntsville’s Von Braun Center. Class 5A, which has less schools, advances the top four wrestlers in each weight class sectional action to the state tournament.
Ashville had four wrestlers advance to the championship round, with three of them winning their matches. Owen Burns (53-7, pictured above) defeated Weaver’s Cael Fulmer in a 9-5 decision at 106 pounds; Nick Williamson (58-2) defeated Fultondale’s Jaylen Fells in a fall at 5:08 at 157 pounds; and Tyler Ebner defeated Dora’s Aiden Richardson in a 7-4 decision at 165 pounds. Brady Thrash (51-11) lost to Deshler’s Ross Mills in a 7-13 decision at 190 pounds.
Also qualifying for the Bulldogs were Gavin Crawford at 115 pounds, Owen Meads at 122 pounds and Mika Smith at 175 pounds.
A pair of Southside wrestlers finished runner-up in the Class 5A championships. Ephram Ormiston lost to Scottsboro’s Stone Staton in a 6-9 decision at 126 pounds, while Peyton Adams fell to Hayden’s Stephen Nelson in a 2-8 decision at 150 pounds.
Also qualifying for the Panthers were Hayden Graham, who took third place at 144 pounds; Jykari Norris, who took third place at 113 pounds; and Eli Carter, who took fourth place at 106 pounds.
Two wrestles from West End are headed to Huntsville – Braison Howard at 120 pounds and Jimmy Bryant Green at 144 pounds.