Birmingham, AL – Weaver, Ranburne finish second in their respective Class 1A-4A Super Sectionals; 15 area wrestlers win sectional titles, 66 qualify for state
Defending state wrestling champion Weaver will return to the state tournament in force. The Bearcats took second in the Class 1A-4A division of the AHSAA North Super Sectional, which concluded Saturday at Birmingham CrossPlex, and qualified 10 wrestlers for next week’s state tournament in Huntsville. Two-time state champion J.D. Johannson won in the 170-pound weight class in Birmingham. Dalton Fink (106) and Anthony Usry (182) took second. The Bearcats got third-place finishes from Gianluca Torres (138), DaShawn Kirby Barnes (145), Brandon Joliff (195) and Hayden Ransom (220). Also qualifying for state were Haiden Hise (sixth, 113), Hunter Hise (sixth, 152) and Caden Thornton (fourth, 160). “I feel good,” Weaver coach Andy Fulmer said. “We had 10 that qualified, and all 10 were in automatically after last night. Three others were in consolations, and two of those three were one match away. We almost had 12.” Weaver won the 1A-4A state title in 2022, edging Ohatchee by one point.
Realignment moved Weaver from south to north for this year, and the Bearcats finished second to Ashville at this weekend’s North Super Sectional, 214.5-204. Down 24 after Friday, Weaver gained ground Saturday. Weaver qualified seven wrestlers for state last year and won coming out of what was considered to be the weaker super sectional. A year later, the Bearcats got 10 wrestlers through despite a roster that includes nine junior-high and junior-varsity kids. “We have an even number (this year) and don’t have a big gap in our lineup,” Fulmer said. “We scored more points in the North than we did last year, winning it in the South.”
As for other area teams of note:
- Ohatchee tied Deshler for seventh with 104 points. Briley Carter won the 106 division, and Matthew King won in 152. Other state qualifiers included Jaxon Tuiolosega (sixth, 120) and Cody Freer (sixth, 182).
- White Plains was ninth at 103.5. Tanner Jarrell won the 113 division, and Mason Hahm took first in 120. Other state qualifiers: Tanner Stephens (sixth, 126) and Luke Campbell (third, 182).
- Pleasant Valley edged Piedmont 71.5-70 for 11th place with three state qualifiers: Baron House (third, 132); Zeke Curvin (second, 195); and Connor Crump (second, 285).
- Piedmont had three state qualifiers: Izak Duke (third, 126), Caleb Tidwell (fourth, 145); and ChrisJon Gurley (second, 220). [read more…]
