Div. II Central District-Watkins Memorial

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Division II Wrestling Sectionals

Two Madison County wrestling teams will trek to the
east side of Columbus on Saturday to start tournament
action at Watkins Memorial.  The London Red Raiders
and Jonathan Alder Pioneers each have wrestlers that
have the credentials to advance to the District
Tournament.

London will be led into action by Tony Morris in the
135 weight class.  Morris, a Senior, has a record of
24-9 on the year and has finished second at the Logan
Elm Duals, the Jonathan Alder Invitational and the
Harry Steele Classic at London.  Since the top four in
each weight class advance to the Districts, London's
coach, David Kennedy, is confident that Morris can get
to the next level. "It's Tony's tournament if he wants
to go on to the next level".  Morris also has an
outside shot to get to 100 wins for his career.

Mike Morris, Tony's brother, has also had an
impressive year.  Mike, who is a freshman, has a
record of 24-7, wrestling primarily in the 103 class.
The younger Morris has yet to take home the big
trophy, but has finished second in six different
tournaments, including last weekend at the SCOL league
tournament.. "He needs to finish a tournament", says
Kennedy.  "If he continues to wrestle in the later
rounds like he does early he has a chance to win this"
Kennedy went on to say.

The big man on campus (wrestling at 285), Sean Kelly,
is a Junior, wrestling for the first time this year.
Last weekend at the SCOL tournament he turned the
tables on rival Chris Simon of Madison Plains, and
went on to be  the runner up.  Kelly is 19-11 for the
year. Kennedy is impressed with the progress that
Kelly has made. "He is wrestling like a 3rd year
wrestler and not a rookie anymore".

London's other Juniors have each had bright moments
but need to be at the top of their games to get to the
districts.  Josh McDaniels (189) finished 3rd at the
SCOL last weekend, but got a late start this year due
to an injury.  Austin Bauer (152) had a 6 match
winning streak in the middle of the year, and is 14-18
on the year.  Adam Eades (171) has been up and down
all year and is 18-19 on the season.  Jeremiah Jones
(145) was having a solid season (16-11) before
breaking a hand in practice and will have to sit out.

Aside from Mike Morris, the Freshmen are led by Ronnie
Colvin (112) who won the Logan Elm Duals and the Harry
Steel Classic earlier in the year.  Colvin sits at
16-15 going into the Sectionals.  James Johnson,
10-16, will wrestle at 119, Pablo Feltz 16-17, at 125
pounds, Seth Nelson 10-15 at 130, and either Shane
Silvers, 9-17 or Raymont Napper, 9-22, will wrestle at
215 pounds.  Silvers finished second at the Jonathan
Alder Invitational.

Jonathan Alders coach Ron Thomas feels that the
Sectional will be tough, but that four or five of his
wrestlers could advance. "Andy Farrand, Bo Berry and
Chris Roby all have a pretty good chance.  Sean
Fleming could get out if he gets a good draw".

Roby, at 160 pounds, is 21-8 on the year and won the
Jonathan Alder Invitational.  The Senior also finished
second at River Valley.  Roby will drop back down to
160 from 171 which he has wrestled most of the year.

Berry, likewise, is dropping a weight class.  After
wrestling 152 most of the year, the Junor will be at
145.  He has a record of 18-13, including a second at
River Valley and third at Northridge and the home
tourney.

Sophomore Andy Farrand is 22-16 for the year.  He
placed second at River Valley and third at the JA
Invite.

Sean Fleming is a Freshman with a 20-19 record.
Fleming only lost twice as an eighth grader, but has
found the competition tougher this year.  "If we can
get him and the other freshmen to realize the freshman
year is always tough" he'll be fine next year, said
Thomas.  Fleming will compete at 135.

Ben Robinson, a freshman 103 pounder also sports a
winning record, which is 19-18.

Senior Brad Purdum should be back at 171, after an
early season injury.  Purdum has a 7-6 record.

Sophomores Jared Kuhlwein, 5-11, will be in the 285
class, and Aaron Rapp, 12-17, will vie for a spot at
152.

Freshman Steven Picklesimon, at 119, finished third at
the JA Invite, and has a record of 14-17.  Spence
Palmer, 9-15, will compete in the 125 class.  Grant
Thomas is 4-14 in the 215 weight class.

Although Kennedy's Red Raiders and Thomas' Pioneers
are adversaries this weekend, Kennedy agrees with
Thomas' statement. "With DeSales, New Albany and
Watkins Memorial, it's going to be tough to get to
out of the sectionals".


as submitted to the Madison Press