On Feb. 20, the Braves wrestling team placed in the top three at the FHSAA District Championship at Freedom High School.
Sophomore John “Andrew” Nelson (126) lost his match against a Timber Creek Wolf, 0-2. Senior Emanuel Rivera (138) also suffered a loss against a Freedom Patriot, 1-4.
Simultaneously, junior Jackson Mendoza (160) and seniors Jonathan Gomez (170) and Noah Williams (132) won their respective matches. Mendoza pinned his opponent in the second period of his match, with Williams finishing soon after 5-4. Gomez stayed level-headed the whole tournament, winning his match 14-3.
Ranked seventh in the state, senior Jude Moore quickly pinned his opponent, 6-2.
Near the end of the consolidation semi-finals, sophomore Daniel Bass gave his Timber Creek opponent a hard time. He flipped him when the Wolf attempted to keep Bass low to the ground. In the end, Bass lost 9-24.
At the end of the consolidation semi-finals, the wrestlers stood at second place behind Freedom with 106 points.
Starting off the semi-finals, sophomore Andrew Fletcher pinned his opponent in 33 seconds. Then, Bass faced off against a Colonial Grenadier. After an aggressive match, Bass beat his opponent 4-1 generating a thrilling roar from the crowd.
Senior Clayton Julian lost his match 3-6 against an Oak Ridge Pioneer.
Fletcher wrestled a Freedom Patriot, earning nine points before pinning his opponent. This allowed him to place third and to advance to the Regional Championship.
In the middle of the tournament, former head coach Derrick Fontaine dropped by to lend his support.
In his final match for third place, Williams faced off against Timber Creek Wolf Nick Walker. Williams lost to him twice previously in two different tournaments. During the match, Walker poked Williams’s left eye, attempting to grasp his neck. After recovering, Williams pinned him, not only winning the match but winning 10-0 and placing third in the 132 weight class.
Bass had the last match against a University Cougar, and won by pinning him, 4-3.
After that, the wrestlers prepared for the finals.
First up, sophomore Jayden Bradshaw (106) wrestled against a Freedom Patriot. He lost 2-6.
Next up, senior Emanuel Rivera and junior Jackson Mendoza wrestled Freedom Patriots. Rivera lost 12-18 and Mendoza lost 1-9.
However, Gomez and Moore both placed first in their matches. Gomez faced off against Freedom Patriot Colby Wayne winning 2-0. Moore wrestled one-armed Timber Creek Wolf Sam Monarch.
Finally, Boone finished with senior David Lopez, who had a hard fought match, but lost, 17-29.
Overall, the Braves finished third place with 153 points.
The wrestling team scored many victories. Sophomore Jayden Bradshaw placed second in the 106 weight class. Fletcher placed third in the 113 weight class. Nelson placed fourth in the 126 weight class. Williams placed third in the 132 weight class. Rivera placed second in the 138 weight class. Mendoza placed second in the 160 weight class. Gomez placed first in the 160 weight class. Moore placed first in the 170 weight class. Lopez placed second in the 182 weight class and Bass placed third in the 195 weight class.
Come see these 10 wrestlers compete next Saturday at the FHSAA Regional Championship at Palm Beach Coast High School at 9:30 a.m.