Hartselle High seniors Clint Bender, top, and Oliver Duncan work out in the Bob Sittason Center. | Clif Knight

Hartselle High School’s wrest­ling team claimed wins in two of three competitions in a dual meet at home on Dec. 8.

Hartselle prevailed over Madison County, 55-18, Deshler, 41-26, and lost by three points to Buckhorn, 36-41. Eighth grader Logan Smith was one of Hartselle’s winners, boosting his season mark to 15-1.

“We’re still a young team but we’re having guys step up and helping us grow as a team,” said first year head coach Matt Watson, a former Hartselle all-state wrestler. “Our goal is to grow the program to the level it once was and we have 30 guys working hard to help us get there.

Working with Watson as assistants are Joey Schutt, Josh Sloan, Kurt Hamilton and Danny Timm. John Mark Waynick, a teacher at Barkley Bridge Elementary School, is serving as teacher sponsor.

The team’s next home meet is scheduled for Jan. 10 at 5 p.m. with Athens and Bob Jones. It will compete in the Fultondale Tournament on Thurs., Dec. 20, against Fultondale, Corner and Sumiton.

6 wrestlers take first place

Six members of Hartselle High’s wrestling team placed first in competition at the Shane Malone Memorial Tournament at Buckhorn High School on Saturday.

Winning first place in their weight divisions were Clint Bender, John Duncan, Oliver Duncan, David Dunford, Ryan Nowka and Logan Smith. Others winners were: (second place) Wesley Duncan and Ashton Quattlebaum; (third place) Michael Prince, Matt Watson and Taylor Wilson; (fourth place) Levi McDaniel and Chance Walker.