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Fort Payne wrestlers win season opener

By Lew Gilliland
The Times-Journal

Published November 20, 2009

The Fort Payne High School wrestling team enjoyed big success in dual matches last season, winning 32 of 35.

It was more of the same Thursday night as the Wildcats opened their 2009-10 campaign. Second-year head coach Greg Jefcoat’s squad picked up eight pins and defeated visiting Huntsville 51-24.

After finishing second in Class 5A a year ago, Jefcoat said his wrestlers have developed the mentality of expecting to win every time they walk onto the mat. It looked that way against the 6A Panthers.

Fort Payne began the match with five straight pins, including two by youngsters in middle school, while building a 30-0 lead.

“Our effort was good,” Jefcoat said. “I knew we had a good group coming in, and they took care of business.

“I was happy with [the young ones]. It goes back to going out there and expecting to win.”

Eighth-grader Mason Baldwin (103 pounds), seventh-grader Cody Fulgum (112), sophomore Trevor Cleckler (119), and juniors Layton Barker (125) and Ethyn Holbrook (130) started the match with consecutive pins for Fort Payne.

Nick Charles (135) broke the string when he picked up a 9-8 decision for Huntsville, but senior Clint Wright (140) answered with a 13-9 decision for Fort Payne.

Sophomore Hunter Harrison (145) and senior Kyle Wright (152), Clint’s twin brother, followed with wins for the Cats, pushing the margin to 45-9.

Chad Herrin (160) picked up Huntsville’s first pin before junior Wes Sartain (171) picked up Fort Payne’s final pin while debuting in his new weight class. Sartain worked at 215 last season.

Huntsville closed with match with consecutive victories by Zach Valley (by pin at 189), Zach Smith (5-3 decision at 215) and Paul Johnson (pin at heavyweight).

Next up for Fort Payne is a tri-match with Gardendale and Sparkman at home Tuesday afternoon at 5.

“We’ve got a tough group coming in here Thursday in Gardendale, but I think our kids will meet that challenge,” Jefcoat said.

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