Brookwood qualifies 12 for Class 5A tournament
HOMEWOOD | Twelve wrestlers from Brookwood have qualified to compete in the Alabama High School Association Class 5A championship tournament.
The state meet is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Pelham Civic Center.
Brookwood placed third in Section 1 tournament, which concluded Saturday at Homewood High School.
Homewood led the way with 202 points, followed by Gardendale at 198 and Brookwood at 197. Benjamin Russell of Alexander City placed fourth at 130, and Pinson Valley was fifth with 100 points.
Brookwood coach Gary Averett said his team struggled in Friday's opening matches. But the Panthers regrouped on Saturday. Of all the teams in the sectional, Brookwood had the largest number of qualifiers for the state tournament.
"Twelve is a good number for us," Averett said. "We ended up qualifying about as many I thought we would, although I was hoping for all 14.
"We didn't wrestle as well as I thought we would on Friday, but we came back and wrestled well [Saturday].
"We got more in the state tournament than anybody. Next week I'm hoping for a better overall performance."
Wrestlers had to place among the top four in the sectional to advance to the state tournament.
Brookwood sophomore Dylan Parten posted a 4-0 record and won a championship in the 121-pound division. Parten pinned Cody Gilbert of Benjamin Russell in the final.
In the 105-pound class, Brookwood eighth-grader Rick Averett placed third with a 3-1 record.
Paden Oglesby, an eighth-grader, went 2-2 and placed fourth in the 114-pound division.
Freshman Will Averett, who competed at 127 pounds, placed third with a 3-1 record.
Junior Jason Woodward wrestled in the 142-pound division, placing third with a 3-1 record. Sophomore Chase Oglesby went 3-1 and placed third in the 147-pound class.
Sophomore Michael Headrick was fourth at 154 pounds with a 2-2 record. Senior Luke Hayes went 3-1 and placed second at 162 pounds. Senior Kevin Hyche finished third at 173 pounds with a 3-1 mark.
Junior Micheal Townsend wrestled at 191 pounds. He placed second with a 4-1 record. Senior Chris Morgan went 3-1 to place third in the 217-pound class.
Junior Sean Mason went 3-1 and placed third in the 277-pound class.
Other Brookwood wrestlers who competed in the sectional were freshman Jordon Headrick (132 pounds) and sophomore Timmy Naugher (137 pounds).