Bob Jones wrestling is runner-up in Dick Clem Memorial
Host Patriots had won three straight times in tourney honoring their late coach
MADISON — For the first time in four seasons, a wrestling team other than Bob Jones won the Dick “Pops” Clem Memorial, named for its late coach who helped the Patriots win a Class 7A state title in 2018.
Clem passed away in 2020 at the age of 83.
Host Bob Jones, which had won three straight Clem tournaments, was the runner- up with 219.5 points behind champion Oak Mountain’s 259 score. Oakland finished third at 141.
Among local squads cracking the top 10, Sparkman placed fourth, Hartselle fifth and James Clemens seventh. Also in the 22-team field, Grissom took 11th and Decatur 12th.
Bob Jones coach Joe Hill, a former assistant under Clem who is in his second season as the head coach, noted the importance of finishing as a top team in the tourney.
“It’s just trying to continue a tradition that Pops built here,” he said.
Individually, Oakmont paved the way with seven champions. Bob Jones, with four champions, was the only other team with more than one. The Patriots also had two runners-up and six third-placers.
“Oakmont is a really tough team, top to bottom,” Hill said. “I was glad to see where we stacked up with them in a tournament setting. We’re really building our depth.”
Bob Jones’ four champions featured: Zander Samargia, 138-pound weight class; Kaden Clark, 157; Jackson Caballero, 165; and Sheldon Sharp, 285.
Samargia pinned Oakland’s Dylan Frazier in two minutes, 42 seconds. Clark beat Oak Mountain’s Brady Coggin 183. Caballero defeated Oakland’s Tyler Lowe 12-2. Sharp doubled up Sparkman’s Walter Pruitt 14-7.
Samargia, a three-time state placer who won the Clem Memorial at 132 last year, has signed with West Liberty, a Division II school in West Virginia.
“It’s a bit of a relief,” he said of signing early.
For Clark, it marked the third time he has won an individual title in the Clem Memorial. The sophomore won at 144 last year and at 120 as an eighth-grader. Winning in the tourney named for the team’s late coach was not lost on him.
“It’s good that we keep the tradition going,” said Clark, a state runner-up last season. “It’s good to win and represent the school here.”
Winning in the Clem Memorial also meant a lot to Sharp, who last year won at 215.
“I never wrestled for (Clem), but Bob Jones has a long legacy of wrestling,” said Sharp, who placed fifth in last year’s state tourney. “A lot of guys have bought into that. I like wrestling here.”
The two runners-up for the Patriots were: Grayson Samargia, 175; and Nathan Tucker, 190.
Bob Jones’ six third-placers included: Josiah White, who at 106 pinned teammate Ethan Giesbrecht in 1:05; Ezra Garner, 132; Max Gruen, 138; Carter Lindsey, 150; Nathan Carbonneau, 175; Jackson Aquino, 215.
Additional Bob Jones wrestlers cracking the top 6 to earn points were: Sam Nixon, 126, fifth; Amir Findley, 157, fifth; and Jacob Camp, 126, sixth.
