Hartselle wrestlers take 12th at Pelham; Blanton wins individual title

By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle varsity wrestling team competed at the Pelham Panther Classic this past weekend, placing 12th of 20 teams at the event. The Tigers’ 85 points put them between Auburn (91) and Hueytown (84). Scottsboro was the winner in the team competition with 220.5 points.
Caleb Blanton was the individual champion in the 145-pound weight class, defeating Hueytown’s Ryan May in the final match. Blanton pinned May 1 minute, 9 seconds into the match.
Senior Jake Watkins took second place in the 171-pound weight class, dropping his final match to Buckhorn’s J.D. Malone, who pinned Watkins 32 seconds into the final round.
No other Hartselle wrestler finished higher than fifth. Blanton was 4-0 in matches; Watkins was 3-1; Dallas Kalber (160 pound) and Ethan Hamilton (189) were each 3-2; Barrett Eubanks (152) was 2-2 and Pat Lovell (130) was 1-2. Several Hartselle wrestlers were out with injuries and family matters.
The Tigers return to the mat this weekend as they host the Hartselle Tiger Duals beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Pettey Center. They also have matches scheduled this week against Gardendale on Tuesday and Arab on Thursday.