Top 8 dual wrestling finish at prestigious tourney for Admirals
KARNS — Farragut wrestling’s performance in Duggar Duals at Karns High School Saturday, Jan. 21, is a sure sign of much improved depth for head coach David Garabrandt’s program.
Despite missing the team’s top two wrestlers, the grappling Admirals won four of five dual matches — beating Fulton, Sevier County, McMinn Central and Knoxville West before losing to Anderson County — ensuring a top eight finish among a field of 18 teams at KHS.
“We got some good wins,” Garabrandt said about individual wrestlers coming through repeatedly Saturday. “We got some good match-ups for our guys.
“Especially considering our No. 1 and (No.) 2 wrestlers were out; our 170 (senior Aidan Enders, who has been ranked in the top five statewide at 170 this season) ended up breaking his nose on Thursday (Jan. 19). Our 182 (senior Zach Martin) hurt his shoulder and was taking a rest day to recover.”
Garabrandt said Enters will be out until the first few days of February to allow “the bones to set” before “wearing a mask” for protection upon his return.
Top performances at Karns
“Our 113, freshman Joe Parsons — this is his first year wrestling — he ended up going 4-1 on Saturday,” Garabrandt said. “He did really well; he ended up getting three pins and one win by points. For a first-year wrestler, that’s more than you can ask for.”
Parsons and Enters were Farragut’s top two finishers the week prior, each taking second place during Soggy Bottom Brawl at Franklin County High School (Middle Tennessee) Saturday, Jan. 14.
Also at Franklin County, Ads freshman Jonathan Laney finished fourth at 126.
Back at Karns during the Duals was Michael Phillips, an FHS sophomore at 195 who also finished 4-1. “He wrestled really well,” the coach said.
At 160, Admirals junior Jose Leyton — also a first-year wrestler — won three of his five matches.
“Winning more than you lose is pretty good for a first-year wrestler,” Garabrandt said.
Among his entire team, “I believe everybody got a win,” the coach said about the five-match effort at Karns.
Top girls at Franklin
Among the top Lady Ads at All Girls Mountain Top Invitational at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (Middle Tennessee), sophomore Sarah Jones (185) was champion.
Freshman Sarah Stinnett took fourth at 120.
At Karns (different format versus the boys), “Sarah Stinnett won all three matches,” Garabrandt said. “Mckenna Porter (junior at 126) won both of hers. Those two did well.”
