By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

John Arthur wrestled his way to an individual championship on Saturday to help LaGrange finish fifth during the Smiths Station (Ala.) Invitational.

Arthur entered the tournament as the number four seed in the 160-pound division, and he beat the top seed 7-6 in the semis before edging the third seed 4-3 in the finals.

“He has really worked hard,” LaGrange head coach Scooter Weathers said of Arthur.

Josh Dodgen made a run at a championship before finishing second at 132 pounds, and two other LaGrange wrestlers, Lane Oliver and Matt Callaway, finished third.

Dexter Fitzpatrick earned a fourth-place finish.

Weathers said Cole Everett and Jacob Anderson also won a handful of matches.

The Grangers had hoped to be in Macon for the state duals over the weekend, but they finished fourth in the area tournament to miss out on that.

“It was a good one for us to end the week on. It took their mind of not making it to Macon,” Weathers said. “Now, we’ve got to finish strong, and see who wants to continue on.”

LaGrange, along with Callaway and Troup, will participate in the county championship on Tuesday.

LaGrange will compete in the Bowdon Invitational on Saturday before hosting a three-team meet on Monday.

LaGrange will then host the traditional area tournament on Feb. 3, with the top finishers qualifying for the state sectional.