Sports

Lee County wrestlers wrap up Westover, Colquitt in opener

• On Wednesday, Lee County tops Westover, while both teams beat down Colquitt County.

Paul Dehner Jr.

ALBANY — Lee County High School wrestling coach Phil Maxfield wasn’t completely pleased with his team’s performance in a tri-match Wednesday night at Westover High School.

But the repeated explosions by his squad from its sideline of red and blue chairs as they pinned opponent after opponent proved one thing: Even an uneven night wasn’t all bad.

Lee County swept Colquitt County and Westover to open its season, beating the Packers, 50-24, and the Patriots, 54-24.

The match, meanwhile, was Westover’s home opener as the Patriots also beat Colquitt, 48-36.

“We got a long way to go,” Maxfield said. “We have guys that are in terrible shape. We have weights where we have to work on things.”

Maxfield cited some conditioning issues when referencing his displeasure.

But he also found bright spots from the potent middleweights in his lineup.

Dennis Eckels (135-pound class), Benjamin Torres (145) and Danny McCray (152) all pulled off double victories in the heart of the Trojans order.

None did it in more spectacular fashion than Eckels in what Maxfield appropriately termed “the match of the night” against Westover’s Colby Faircloth.

Eckles ended up pinning Faircloth after the two traded rallies.

“That was a grudge match last year, too,” Maxfield said. “Dennis is just a really good scrambler. Credit to the Faircloth kid, he is really improved and strong.”

As for Westover’s performance overall, coach Kevin Fretwell couldn’t hide his disappointment.

Though the team was missing a slate of talented wrestlers still practicing with the football team, it was the effort of those who did hit the mat that irked him.

“I wasn’t happy about any of it (Wednesday night), to be honest,” Fretwell said. “There is no excuse for lack of heart. Several kids who should have easily taken their guys literally just gave up.”

Fretwell credited his team leaders Ryan Cauley (140) and Stuart Darsey (125) for putting out a strong effort while winning both their matches. But the rest of the team succumbed to a Lee County squad that couldn’t be stopped in taking the final seven matches of the night.

“We should be able to compete with Lee better than that,” Fretwell said. “Lee has some good kids and a good team, but my optimism from (earlier in the week) just took a hit because it didn’t seem like I had certain weight classes that wanted to win.”

Other double winners for Fretwell were David Metz and Dylan Snapp, who both drew forfeits against Colquitt County.

Fretwell knew before Wednesday’s action that his depleted team would be unable to compete with Lee County. They will face off again in January at which point he hopes for a better result.

But he said the meeting won’t come before his team partakes in a lot of running during the next few days.

“When we see them again and I have my full team, it is going to be a very close match, but they are going to beat us again if my kids wrestle like they did (Wednesday),” Fretwell said. “They are going to have to find whether or not they want to win or just go half at it.”

WAITING IN THE WINGS

Fretwell is glad the Westover football team is making a state title run — and he hopes it doesn’t end without a championship. However, the coach will be relieved when he gets four of his key stars on the mat and off the gridiron once the pigskin season ends: Brandon Scott (152-pound weight class), Sedrick Rowe (160), John Castro (189) and Chris Snyder (285).

NEXT, PLEASE

Westover and Lee County will both compete in the Cook County tournament this weekend.

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