Freedom claims SMAC wrestling tourney title

MORGANTON —

Freedom and Patton were clearly the class of South Mountain 2A/3A Conference wrestling this season, and the Patriots added the 2011-12 SMAC tournament championship to their resume after slipping past the rival Panthers 170-162 on Saturday at Patton.

Patton and Chase (third place; 144 points) tied with four conference champions apiece, while Freedom picked up big points by getting 11 wrestlers into either the consolation finals or championship round. The Pats ended the day with two individual champions and five runners up.

The 132-pound class featured a huge rematch from the last conference contest where Freedom won over Patton, as best friends Josh Moses of Freedom and Hunter Riles of Patton went into sudden death before Moses came out on top 6-4. Moses gained wrestler of the match for his performances.

Freedom’s other weight-class winner came via the quickest pin of the title round, as heavyweight Richlon Freeman downed Chase's Richard Sharek in 19 seconds. Patriots Logan Miller (126), Jacob Honeycutt (145), John Chaney (160), Brian Mayfield (170) and Robbie Goodchild (182) each placed second, while Dalton McGalliard (120) and Keith Hicks (138) took third.

“I am extremely proud of my team for winning the regular season and conference tournament,” said Freedom coach Jon Smith. “Getting 11 of our guys into the final four places in the 14 weight classes was enough to get us over the hump.”

Patton’s titles came from Jeremy Guinn (113), Tyler Buff (170), Cory Ross (182) and Ethan Page (195). Guinn scored an 11-0 major decision, while Buff and Ross each won by pin. Page picked up a hard-fought 7-5 decision. Riles and Chandler Laws (220) finished second, and Panther teammates Cody Patton (106) and Austin Stewart (160) were each third.

“The competition was excellent,” Panthers coach Mark Crisp said, “and I am very proud of my team and the way they performed throughout the day.”

Freedom’s season continues on into the 3A dual-team state playoffs on Tuesday versus Charlotte Catholic. The site is still to be determined. Both teams await word on qualifiers for the 3A West Regional on Feb. 17-18 at Freedom.

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