Albany Herald

Photo by Danny Aller

LEESBURG -- Lee County wrestling cruised to a 3-0 win Tuesday night against Americus-Sumter, Westover and Dougherty High in preparation for state duals Friday and Saturday.

The Trojans (13-3), whose only losses have come to 5A power Lowndes (twice) and Hardaway, got past an undermanned Westover team, 54-30, and easily handled Dougherty, 63-18, and Americus-Sumter.

Lee County got key wins from Zach Thompson in the 112-pound weight class, three-year wrestler Jeffery McCray (160) and Rashaud Anthony, who dropped nearly 20 pounds to get down to 103.

"We're still young and developing in a lot of the lower-to-middle weights," Trojans head coach Phil Maxfield said.

Westover, meanwhile, went 2-1 on Tuesday by pulling out a 43-42 win against rival Dougherty. The two actually tied, but Westover won based on points led. The Patriots blew by Americus, 60-9.

Westover senior Colby Faircloth, now 16-2 on the year, continued his dominance in the 135 class with first-period pins in 40 and 55 seconds and 1:48.

"He didn't break a sweat," Patriots' coach Kevin Fretwell said. "He hasn't been on the mat for five minutes in the last five matches total. The only thing that will keep him from winning his weight class in AAA probably will be endurance."

How high can Faircloth finish?

"As high as I want if I get in shape," he said.

Westover has had to practice part of each week at a local church due to renovations at the school and is limited on mat time, Fretwell said. The Patriots also were forced to plug in five junior varsity wrestlers Tuesday to avoid forfeits.

Westover also got three wins from Channing Shingles (119), Reginald Sherman (125) and Paul Stadnik (215).

Dougherty finished 1-2 on the night with a 66-12 win against Americus-Sumter. Head coach Kareem Sanders said Eugene Watkins, whose only loss was to Lee County's Connor Cloud, helped lead Dougherty.

"He's one of my veterans," Sanders said of Watkins, who had a 10-second pin vs. Americus. "He lost to Lee County but bounced back with wins against Americus and Westover."

Junior D'Andre Taylor went 3-0 Tuesday with first-period pins in 1:21, 1:00 and 13 seconds.

Lee County and Westover compete in state duals Friday and Saturday in Macon, while Dougherty faces Pelham Tuesday.