Pirate wrestlers travel to compete in Neosho
Tanner Jones, Co-Sports Editor
December 16, 2009
Filed under Sports, Wrestling
The Belton wreslting team was given no break after their tri-meet against Ray-Pec and Kearney. They packed their bags and gear Dec. 4 and endured a two and a half hour bus ride to Neosho.
The team competed the next day after staying in a hotel. Some of the wrestlers spent their leisure time in the hotel’s fitness center in order to be under weight. Lights out came at 11:30; they would need all the rest they would get to prepare themselves for tomorrow.
Neosho itself is one of the best teams in the state of Missouri. Then with other schools attending such as Staley, Branson, Fort Osage and Hannibal this tournament held some of the top wrestlers in all weight classes, making the day far from easy.
Overall, the team came out of the tournament well, placing 5th and also having five wrestlers place in the top four. The team worked and fought hard for their results.
Wreslters who placed were seniors Glen Whitney, sophomore Kevin Estell, and juniors Austin Sims, Josh Knight and Leroy Barnes. Whitney was the only to place first with a suprisingly close match. Whitney’s opponent fought hard and tried all he can but could not contend when Whitney began shooting.
Sims and Barnes both placed second. Barnes was dominating 4-0 in the tournament coming into the finals. Unfortunately, he had been having problems and pains in his leg that made his finals match harder against his tough opponent. Sims was already wrestling out of his class and turning heads. Sims weighed 180 pounds was competing in the 215 weight class. His two losses came from the same person who took first in the bracket. Estell and Knight both settled for 4th.
The Pirates finished well on the junior varsity side as well. Almost all of the junior varisty wrestlers finished first and won most of their matches. Wrestlers such as sophomore Cody Clabough, and juniors Cameron Myers, Nick Taylor, Kendrick King and more all placed first in junior varsity.
The tournament was a good start for the Pirate’s tournament season. With the challenging teams here, the season is only going to get easier up till district time.
Pirate wrestlers will compete Dec. 11 and 12 at the Lee’s Summit North tournament.
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