By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

Dexter Fitzpatrick rolled to an individual championship and was one of eight LaGrange High wrestlers who walked away with a medal on Friday during the Gary Silva Invitational at Gardner Newman Middle School.

The tournament was originally going to be spread over two days, but since a few teams dropped out the decision was made to finish on Friday.

Three of LaGrange’s wrestlers made it to the finals in their respective weight divisions, and while Fitzpatrick took home the first-place medal, John Arthur and Demetrius Dean fell short and placed second.

Also for LaGrange, Lane Oliver and Matt Callaway finished third, and Mason McPeters, Walter Oliver and Colin Cavender were fourth.

LaGrange finished third in the team standings behind Oxford (Ala.) and Heard County.

“We’re slowly getting better,” LaGrange head coach Scooter Weathers said. “We’re taking baby steps. We’re young.”

Fitzpatrick dominated the 195-pound weight division to secure the championship.

After a first-round bye, Fitzpatrick beat Central-Carroll’s Jordan Williams in the second round before dispatching teammate Christian Whaley to reach the finals.

In the championship match, Fitzpatrick was in control from the start and he pinned Heard County’s Sam Brown.

At 152 pounds, Dean won twice before losing to Heard County’s JT Thornton in the championship match.

Also making it to the championship round was Arthur, who prevailed in his first two matches at 160 pounds before losing to Drake Boyles of Oxford.

It was a hard-fought championship match, with Boyles prevailing 9-6.

At 106 pounds, Lane Oliver had a solid tournament, going 3-1, with his lone loss coming to eventual tournament champion Ben Rainwater of Bowdon.

Oliver beat Kaleb Shelton of Oxford in the third-place match.

Callaway also enjoyed a successful tournament with a 3-1 record at 132 pounds, and he beat Central-Carroll’s Kyler Huff 11-6 to finish third.

McPeters (113 pounds), Walter Oliver (126 pounds) and Cavender (138 pounds) each went 2-2 in their respective weight classes.

It was a solid performance for the Grangers as they prepare for the Area 5-AAAA tournament at Cedartown on Saturday.

“We’ve got area next week, so that was a good confidence boost,” Fitzpatrick said.

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