Bob Jones wrestlers overcome inexperience, win two tourneys

MADISON – Wrestlers from Bob Jones High School won their last two dual tournaments, posting a 6-1 record.

The wrestling team at Bob Jones High School won the Patriot Duals and Scottsboro Duals tournaments. (CONTRIBUTED)

In the Patriot Duals on Nov. 23, Bob Jones captured first place in competition against Sparkman, Mountain Brook and Buckhorn high schools. A dual tournament involves multiple teams that all face each other one match at a time.

“I’m real proud of the kids. This is a totally new bunch,” coach Jason Edwards said. “For them to come back and win these two tournaments is a testament to their resiliency, especially after a coaching error cost them a dual.”

Edwards said the Patriots “came storming back to win. I’m proud of them.”

At the Scottsboro Dual on Nov. 29, the Patriots took another first-place ranking. They competed with Scottsboro and James Clemens high schools and Ridgeland High School in Rossville, Ga.

The Scottsboro win was especially satisfying because were several starters were out. “The real story was that they had to come back to win the 285-, 103-, 113- and 120-pound matches to tie Scottsboro,” Edwards said. “Chase Henderson picked up a surprise pin at 126 pounds to win the title for the team in the final match.”

Bob Jones wrestling team includes one seventh-grader, five freshman, five sophomores, two juniors and one senior.

“Tyler Moulton, a sophomore, has really stepped up as a leader, as well as senior Levi Hickson and sophomore Griffin Ridgeway,” Edwards said. “The kids have done well (in this) totally new squad.”

The Patriots experience declined with last year’s graduating seniors. Micah Hatley was a state finalist, along with Jesse Webster who also was two-time medallist. Blake Rogers and Alex Maxwell were state medallists. Hasan Alrefai and Chris Gomes were state qualifiers.

“When you combine losing them, the school split and our two-time state medallist heavyweight Melvin Gibbons moving, they are probably the most inexperienced team in North Alabama,” Edwards said. “These kids are wrestling well above what is expected of them by other teams, not themselves.”