Richlands finishes second in SWD wrestling

Abingdon --

Richlands advanced all its wrestlers to the Region IV tournament and placed second as a team at the Southwest District meet in Abingdon Feb. 1.

The host Falcons won the match with 228.5 points to 180 for Richlands. Marion was third, followed by Carroll County and Tazewell. Tazewell also advanced all its wrestlers to the Region IV match.

The Blue Tornado won two weight classes and took second place in a half dozen others. Caleb Lankford won the 126 pound class, pinning Matthew Trent of Abingdon in the first round.

Austyn Lankford decisioned Tyler Rose of Marion 3-1 and won the 145 pound class. Bill Rowe of Richlands was the runner-up in the 113 pound class. Wyatt Cantrell took the runner-up spot at 120 and Aaron Haywood lost to William Jenkins in the finals of the 132 pound group.

Ethan Deel brought home a second place finish in the 138 pound class. Garrett Lankford lost a 1-0 decision to Zach Wright of Abingdon in the 160 pound class. Chris Haywood finished second at 170 for Richlands.

Tazewell picked up two second place finishes with Deon Davis making it to the finals at 220 and Ryan Taylor at 285. Tazewell completed its day with three fourth place finishes.

Nathan Mullins was fourth at 138 and Junior McBride took fourth at 145.

Fourth place in the 152 pound class went to Levi Stroupe.

In the final match of the regular season at Rural Retreat, Richlands placed fourth and Tazewell was 11. The Blue tornado’s Garrett Lankford won the 160 pound championship at Rural Retreat Caleb Lankford, Logan Salyers and Aaron Haywood were second place finishers for Richlands.

Davis placed second for Tazewell in the 220 pound class. Austyn Lamkford and Sam Lawson were third place finisher for Richlands.

Wyatt Cantrell was a fourth place finisher in the 120 pound class.

[SWD Championship results:]

106: Eric Woodward, (M) pinned Hunter Nichols, (A)

113: Blake Rosenbaum, (A) pinned Bill Rowe, (R)

120: Andrew Hamilton, (A) pinned Wyatt Cantrell, (R)

126: Caleb Lankford, (R), pinned Matthew Trent, (A)

132: William Jenkins, (A), 17-2 tech fall over Aaron Haywood, (R)

138: Ryan Crowell, (M), pinned Ethan Deel, (R)

145: Austyn Lankford, (R), decisioned Tyler Rose, (M), 3-1

152: Grayson Toler, (A) pinned Logan McCullom, CC

160: Zach Wright, (A), decisioned Garrett Lankford, (R), 1-0