By MATMEN, Tuesday, 12:20 a.m.
SPRINGFIELD, GA — Sometimes getting a look at an entirely new set of wrestlers is just what a team needs to improve.
After coming off the previous weekend’s title win at home in the Optimist Invitational, Sandalwood went up to east-central Georgia’s Effingham County and its two-day Rebel Invitational, taking on a 32-team field.
The Saints finished 14th over the two days, with 92 points, and had two wrestlers earn tournament medals, as Justin Robinson (113) and Duffy Mista (215) both placed third (note: Georgia is using the new NFHS weight classifications this year).
Robinson won three times to reach the 113 semis, with two pins (Bluffton SC & West Laurens GA), plus a 10-9 decision over Greenbrier GA, before losing by tech fall on Saturday morning to a multiple-time Georgia 6A state placewinner. In the consis, Robinson bonus-pointed his way to third, with a pin over Dublin GA in the semis and a major decision over Screven GA for third.
Mista was the 4th seed in the 215 bracket; after an 8-5 win over Toombs GA in the round of 16, he reached the semis with a fall over Bluffton. In Saturday’s round, Mista lost by fall to Brunswick’s Anthony Lowe, who was 3rd at 6A-220 in the Georgia state tournament in February, but rallied back for third place with a second victory over Toombs (this time by pin) and an 8-3 win over South Effingham for third.
Sandalwood goes back on the road this weekend, staying in Florida this time, with a trip to Longwood for Lyman’s two-day Bill Scott Memorial on Friday and Saturday.
Results from the tournament can be found HERE.
North Florida Matmen 