Bob Jones wrestling tournament draws record number of teams
BJHS Melvin Gibbons (white trunks) in acion
The Dick Clem Invitational wrestling tournament hosted by Bob Jones on Jan. 21 had one of the biggest turnouts in the eight year history of the event. Twelve teams showed up for the one day event and competed in 14 weight classifications on four mats.
The scores were so close that the team championship was not decided until the final championship matches ended.
“Some really good wrestlers from all over the state are here,” Bob Jones Head Wrestling Coach Jason Edwards said. “Hewitt-Trussville brought a really solid team. Grissom has bounced back and performed well and Sparkman had some kids that performed well.”
Bob Jones led going into the final round but Grissom grabbed the top team finish by winning five first place matches. Vestavia Hills had three champions in their weight classifications and finished second.
Five Bob Jones wrestlers made it to the championship matches but none of them could close the deal and the team finished third. Hewitt-Trussville finished fourth.
Bob Jones’ Micah Hatley made the championship match in the 195 pound classification but lost to Mark Johnson of Grissom in double overtime.
“The tough matches usually go down to points, especially at state,” Hatley said. “It feels better wrestling in your own gym. The best wrestlers in our section are here so I will see them at sectionals and can prepare against them here.” Hatley won five matches to get to the championship.
Colin Olivier at 120 pounds was another Bob Jones wrestler who won his way into the championship round.
“We look forward to this every year,” said Olivier. “I’m real comfortable wrestling here with all my teammates. I just wrestle my best and try to get first.”
Alex Maxwell, Jesse Webster, and Griffin Ridgeway of Bob Jones all won their way into championship matches and finished second.
Melvin Gibbons and Levi Hickson claimed third place finishes for Bob Jones.
Wrestling offers a chance for individual success for athletes who come from big schools with small teams. An example is Sparkman’s Micah McGlathery who won two matches and finished fifth at 160 pounds.
McGlathery is trying for a third trip to state and helped his chances. “This is a higher level of competition with more big schools here today. Closer you get to state the tougher the competition gets. I see guys here that will be on the medal stand,” said McGlathery.
Cameron Harbin was the highest placing Sparkman wrestler reaching the championship round at 126 pounds but lost to Jeremy Strong of Vestavia Hills.
“Their program is much improved,” Edwards said of Sparkman. “The better wrestling gets around the area it’s better for everybody.” Sparkman finished seventh.
Tournament namesake Dick Clem who started the wrestling program at Bob Jones High School in 1998 was on hand to offer advice to all the wrestlers.
The state tournament will be at Propst Arena at the Von Braun Center on February 14-16.
