Union Wrestling Places Fourth at Area Tournament by Todd Forrest North Georgia News [email protected]
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THEJanuary NORTH 13, GEORGIA 2016 THE NEWS NORTH January GEORGIA 13, 2016 NEWS Page 13Page 13 Union wrestling places fourth at Area Tournament By Todd Forrest North Georgia News [email protected] Tiger - Union County wrestling had their best team showing at Area during their short history last week at Rabun County when they took home fourth place after entering the tournament ranked fifth. The Panthers fell to River- side Military Academy in the first round by a score of 30-48. In round two, Union took down the host Rabun County Wildcats, 48-29. Last year, Rabun placed fourth so the Panthers vic- tory over the Wildcats allowed Union to steal their spot from a Union County wrestling against Greater Atlanta Christian at the Area Tournament (left). Union County in action vs Riverside Military Academy at the Area Tournament (right). year ago. In the third round Union squared off with wrestling power Greater Atlanta Christian and took care of business, 46-36. The Spartans placed sec- ond last year to Social Circle. In the final round, with third place on the line, the Pan- thers met up with Riverside once again, who edged Union for third place. According to Union Coun- ty Wrestling Coach Michael Smith-Foot, each year Union County has been either the first or second team eliminated from the team tournament. “This was a huge step in Union County Wrestling places two at the Amicalola Classic. the right direction this year,” Coach Smith-Foot said. “What a 21-4 record at 106 pounds. Most of the team has win- is most impressive about this feat Sophomore Brendan Mason was ning records, but these are the is that it was accomplished with 21-2 at 113 pounds. most impressive records. eight freshmen, four sophomores, Freshman Tyree Mackie “We are in the phase of the and two juniors in the line-up.” Union County vs Rabun County at the Amicalola Classic. held a 17-3 record at 126 pounds. season were maintaining weight Social Circle went on to against Dawson County, Murphy, “We are hoping to finish The Panthers fell to Wes- Freshman Isaac Tritt was 12-6 is very important and polishing win the tournament and private and Rabun Gap. in the top four at this area as leyan but defeated Rabun, both at 138 pound. Sophomore Griz- our movements in wrestling is a school Wesleyan placed second. Next week, the Panthers well and hopefully send eight to Area foes. zly Breedlove was 20-7 at 182 big deal too,” Coach Smith-Foot Union has wrestled Wes- go to Hayesville to wrestle with ten wrestlers to Sectionals, and Union’s dual record on pounds. said. “The one thing we need to leyan twice this season with both Swain County. That weekend at least four to State this year,” the year is 6-10 with most of Junior Zach Payton held a improve on is losing without get- losses coming by 15 points or Union wrestle in their last tour- Coach Smith-Foot added. those losses coming by narrow 14-5 record at 220 pounds. Sopho- ting pinned. Most of our dual loses less. nament at Pickens County before Prior to the Area Tourna- margins. more Josh Silvers was sporting a would have been wins if we would This week, Union has their Traditional Area, Sectionals, and ment, Union finished fourth at the Entering the Area Tourna- 10-5 record at 285 pounds, but have lost by points instead of pin. final home match on Tuesday State. Amicalola Classic. ment, freshman Alex Barrett had only weighs 218. That is frustrating as a coach.” First in Region... continued from Page 13 NASCAR 2016 Down 67-57 with 4:47 Baenninger scored 15 of By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter to play, a Baenninger jumper his game-high 26 during the sparked a 9-0 Panthers’ run. second half as the Panthers Wood Brothers To Race Full Schedule At the 4:17 mark, Baen- pulled away from a 32-27 Can the Wood Brothers re- move to a great organization with a ninger nailed a trey and 22 advantage at the break. claim some of their former glory? solid driver, while still getting the Union outscored the Ti- It’s been six years since the chance to work with the people that seconds later, drove into the Wood Brothers, NASCAR’s old- I’ve come to know and respect at paint for two more. gers 19-10 in the third quarter est team, has been able to run a full Team Penske,” said Bullins. “Ev- A layup by Crawford as they opened up a 51-37 lead Sprint Cup season. Since 2009, they eryone in the sport knows about the Colwell, off a feed from entering the fourth. have had to content themselves with Wood Brothers and recognizes that brother Candler Colwell, at Baggett connected from running only 14-20 races per year, No. 21. To get a chance to work for the 3:27 mark brought Union downtown in each quarter for due to lack of sponsorship. Eddie and Len and the entire organi- within a point at 67-66 - cap- a career-high 12 points. As a That will change this year zation and to have Ryan behind the ping off the run. team, the Panthers hit seven as the team has secured a full sea- wheel, is pretty much everything I The Wildcats made it a treys. son sponsorship and young Ryan could have asked for.” Shook finished with 7 Blaney as their driver. The team was formed in 69-66 game with 3:09 to play “We are beyond excited to 1950 by Glen and Leonard Wood, and the Panthers would turn points on 3-of-4 shooting at make this announcement about go- hence the “Wood Brothers”. it over on the ensuing posses- the line. Senior Matthew Rich ing back to full time competition,” Some of NASCAR’s great- sion, but no harm was done as scored five with three coming said Eddie Wood, team co-owner. est drivers sat behind the wheel of the defense made a stop. on a first quarter trey. “It has been something we’ve the No. 21 during the 1960s, includ- “I’ve always told the Seniors Andrew Brown worked toward since 2009 when we ing Curtis Turner, Marvin Panch, Ryan Blaney guys that when you make and Lance Rich added 4 points started running limited schedules. Fireball Roberts, Parnelli Jones, what they will mean for various stops and pick your energy each. Senior Joseph Mancuso “I have to thank Ford, our Tiny Lund, Junior Johnson, Speedy teams,” McReynolds said. “Every up on defense, you make added 2 points. technical alliance partners Team Thompson, Fred Lorenzen, and time there is a rules change in NA- buckets,” Coach Jones said. Candler and Crawford Penske and Roush Yates Engines, Cale Yarborough. SCAR it helps some drivers while Colwell both finished with 2 as well as everyone at Motorcraft, In 1972, David Pearson was conversely hurting others. You’ve “I don’t know why that is, but for working with us to make this hired to be the full-time driver of Patrick Baggett points. always heard me say that no mat- when you play great defense, day possible. It’ll be fun to see just the No. 21 car. This choice would ter what rule changes they make, no you have great offense. But 8-2 Panthers’ run to close the Union led 15-14 after how good Ryan Blaney, and our pave the way for one of the most matter what car they run, no matter down 10, we had to make a half made it a 31-30 game at one quarter with five different team can be over a full season.” successful strings of victory in what points system or Chase format stop, and make buckets. They the break. Panthers reaching the scoring The last time the Wood motorsports history. In only seven NASCAR selects -- regardless of were killing us with that one Baenninger accounted column. Brothers won was in 2011 when years, the team entered 143 races any of that -- the cream is always play, and after 3.8 quarters we Trevor Bayne took the Daytona and amassed a staggering 46 wins going to rise to the top. for the game’s final six points 500. Now that they have a techni- and 51 poles. Their race winnings decided to stop them.” of the second quarter with a Panthers 30 “Any rules changes is not Baenninger, who fin- Riverside 41 cal alliance with Team Penske, they surpassed $1.3 million during this going to take a team that is consis- pair of treys in the final 23 should be in contention for top-five period with Pearson as the driver. tently running 25th and make them ished with 13 points in the fi- seconds. and top-10 finishes throughout the Pearson continued driving the car Gainesville - In a battle a contender for wins. In the same nal frame and 21 in the second The first trey made it a season and could even find them- from 1972 to 1979. breath it’s not going to take a team half, evened the score at 69-all 31-27 game with just over 20 between the top two teams in selves back in victory lane once In 1976, with Pearson still that is a contending team and all of with a three from the left wing seconds left, and his second the 8-AA standings, Union again. driving, the Wood Brothers won sudden you find them simply strug- at the 1:57 mark.