By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Local wrestling fans will have to wait an extra day to watch the county’s teams fight it out.

The County Classic, which features the teams from Callaway, LaGrange and Troup, was originally scheduled for today at LaGrange High.

But because LaGrange High’s open house is on tap for this evening, LaGrange wrestling coach Scooter Weathers consulted with the coaches from Callaway and Troup and decided to push the meet back until Wednesday.

The action will get under way at 5:30 p.m. with La-Grange and Callaway facing off.

Callaway and Troup will be next onto the mat, and Troup and LaGrange will meet in the finale in what should determine the championship.

LaGrange will try to defend its county championship against a Troup team that finished second in the area dual-format tournament and won a match at the state duals.

In recent history, the Troup-LaGrange showdown has been tight, with the outcome oftentimes decided in the final match.

A year ago, though, there was no drama with La-Grange winning easily.

“Last year was an exception,” LaGrange head coach Scooter Weathers said. “Usually it comes down to two, three, four points.”

Troup has had a strong dual-match season that was highlighted by the runnerup finish at the area tournament.

Troup also won a couple of traditional-format tournaments.

Callaway has some talented wrestlers, but it has had a tough time in dual-format events because of its lack of depth.

The Cavaliers have left as many as six weight classes unfilled at times.

LaGrange, meanwhile, has battled inexperience, as well as a rash of illness that caused Weathers to pull his team out of the area tournament.

Weathers said the Tigers are the favorite, but that his team has “had a really good couple of weeks” of practice in preparation for the season’s home stretch.

OF NOTE: For more on the County Classic, see Wednesday’s sports section.