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Trio lead FHS boys wrestling

  • Farragut sophomore Jonathan Laney, left, has the advantage against his Grace Christian Academy opponent in this 138-pound class match during a three-deal dual .

  • Laney (12-2) won by a pin, as did teammate Michael Stafford-Hedge, a junior at 165, pins a GCA Ram.

  • Ads freshman Zach Gonzalez, at 215, enjoys the upper hand against a Grace opponent he eventually defeated 6-3.

Though Farragut High School’s wrestling team has failed to win a dual-meet match so far this season, three Admirals grapplers were dominant in wins versus Carter and Grace Christian Academy Friday night, Dec. 8, in FHS’s Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium.

Jonathan Laney, a sophomore in the 138 weight class (12-2 record), won 17-5 versus Carter then got a pin against Grace; Michael Stafford-Hedge (8-2), a junior at 165 managed to pin both of his Friday opponents; and Zach Gonzalez, a freshman at 215 (7-5), won with a pin against Carter and a 6-3 decision versus Grace.

“They’re doing well to start this season,” Admirals skipper David Garabrandt said. “Zach and Michael are both second-year wrestlers. ... Michael was our first-year wrestler who qualified to go to sectionals.

“He’s come back (this season) and he’s a lot stronger now,” the coach added. “He’s been dealing with a little bit of a back issue.”

Meanwhile, “Jonathan, also a second-year wrestler, has come out on fire, really,” Garabrandt said, as Laney finishing fourth in the prestigious Knoxville Catholic Tournament.