GREYHOUND GRAPPLERS
Little by little, the wrestling season is building toward Jan. 7 for the Greyhounds. That’s the date of the region duals, where how Jones County performs as a team will decide its spot in the state dual preliminaries the following weekend.
“Everything right now is about trying to tie up loose ends, because when we come back from Christmas, everything starts to count,” Greyhounds head coach Adam Gillhouse said.
When that time comes, pressure will be at a high. And at some point this year, wrestling in a massive arena will also have to be confronted by the Greyhounds.
That’s where Jones County found itself over the weekend, competing out of state against teams that call a mixture of states home, finishing seventh in the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple. The event was held in Asheville, N.C., inside the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.
“It was huge. There were 34 teams there and 10 mats on the floor. The arena was similar to how the Macon Coliseum will be when we’re there,” Gillhouse said. “With some of our guys being young, it was big for them just to be in that environment.”
The state may have been different for Jones County’s Chi Anderson, but the result was similar. Wrestling up in the 182-pound division, he went 5-0, winning first place in his division. Not only that, but his 30 points earned from his match wins were the most of any wrestler at the tournament.
“There were some really good wrestlers in his class. He made the decision to wrestle at 182, and he wrestled really well,” Gillhouse said. “He kept himself in good shape and didn’t quit, especially in that championship match where he got a reversal and pin to win it.”
Hunter McCleskey thrived at 106 pounds, winning his consolation semifinal to finish fourth overall. Carson Lumley and James Rackley also rallied back to advance to the consolation semifinals in their divisions.
Even in the tournament’s JV bracket, the Greyhounds seized the opportunity. Jack Carr won his 145-pound weight class, as did Robert Scott at 152.
Last weekend’s overall performance followed a dominant duals win the Tuesday prior against Dublin, where the Greyhounds won all but two matches, rolling to a 66-12 win. The dual match was the image of a strong start, winning the first nine individual matches, two by forfeit.
On-mat wins came from McCleskey, Aiden Lipford, Peyton Thompson, Jackson Brown, Arrie Martin, Carson Lumley, Scott and James Rackley, with other wins coming from Anderson, Hunter Hardwick and Brayden Thompson.
It was stark difference than the week before, where the Greyhounds took a slim win against Putnam County.
“Those are quick turnarounds, going from wrestling big tournaments on the weekends,” Gillhouse said. “But part of what we’re trying to help them learn is to compete anytime you’re on the mat. That was big for them to do, to show up and wrestle like we should.”
Like many teams, Jones County has the Christmas weekend off. Then, the Greyhounds wrestle at the Hook ‘Em Invitational hosted by Lambert on Dec. 28-29. That’ll then be followed by a dual meet Jan. 3 at Morgan County.
“Our goal all regular season is to find the best competition that we can,” Gillhouse said. “Lambert, that’ll be a tough tournament. Just getting our
