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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

LaGrange High’s wrestlers went home with plenty of hardware.

Competing in the Gary Silva Invitational at Gardner Newman Middle School, LaGrange finished third as a team, and nine of its wrestlers earned a medal by placing fourth or higher.

Three LaGrange wrestlers, Hunter Brooks, Colin Cavender and Jacob Anderson, walked away with first-place med

als, Austin Skiff, Julian Santiago and Alec Morissette placed second, and Sean Shirey, Carter Lay and Tayvon Howard finished fourth.

LaGrange will be back in action on Saturday in a traditional-format tournament at Callaway High.

The Grangers were in their new practice facility on Thursday morning preparing for the Callaway tournament, and for some other big events to come, including the area duals coming up in a few weeks.

One of the leaders in the wrestling room is Santiago, a senior who is in the midst of his final go-around as a member of the team.

While focusing on himself, Santiago is also helping to guide some of the younger wrestlers

“I try to just help them,” Santiago said. “I know this is our last year, so we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do, but we’ve also got to make sure they know what to do for when we leave.”

Another second-place finisher at the Silva tournament was Morissette, who reached the championship match at 170 pounds.

“I beat him before, but I went in there feeling awful, and it just didn’t go how I wanted it, too,” Morisette said. “But I’m looking forward to the rest of the season, and area down the line.”

Howard, who finished fourth at 182 pounds, believes the team is progressing, even while dealing with the complications created by Covid-19.

“I feel like the team is way better from the beginning of the season,” Howard said. “Our team has also grown from last year (in numbers).”

Howard was one of the LaGrange wrestlers who made it to the state sectional last season, and he’s looking forward to making another state run this year.

“I made it to sectionals last year as a freshman,” Howard said. “I feel like I can make it to Macon (for the state finals) this year if I put my head to it.”

LaGrange’s three first-place finishers at the Silva tournament are all veteran wrestlers who have enjoyed plenty of success over the years.

Brooks placed first at 120 pounds, Cavender claimed first at 138 pounds, and Anderson took the top spot at 160 pounds.

Skiff, another one of LaGrange’s experienced wrestlers, earned a second-place finish at 126 pounds, while Shirey, a freshman, took fourth at 113 pounds.

SILVA 

INVITATIONAL

LAGRANGE PLACERS

1st- Hunter Brooks (120 pounds)

1st – Colin Cavender (138 pounds

1st – Jacob Anderson (160 pounds

2nd – Austin Skiff (126 pounds)

2nd – Julian Santiago (152 pounds)

2nd – Alec Morrissette (170 pounds)

4th – Sean Shirey (113 pounds)

4th – Tayvon Howard (182 pounds)

4th – Carter Lay (145 pounds)