Suwannee builds big lead, earns region duals title

BY BRANT PARSONS —The random starting weight went No. 8 Suwannee's way as they started out strong and never looked back against No. 11 Episcopal, winning the 1A-1 state duals region title.

Marshall White (145) and Austin McKinney (152) came out firing for the Bulldogs, scoring wins by fall and building a 12-0 lead. Austin Howard continued the strong start with a 9-2 win at 160 pounds and then Dustin Wood rallied for a win by fall at 170 pounds.

"We have two studs there in McKinney and Howard and they usually kick things off good for us," Suwannee coach John Wainwright said.

In total, Suwannee won 9 of the 14 bouts and 8 of them by fall. Torynn Johns (195), Eli Jolicoeur (106), Justin Contreras (113), Topher Peterson (120), and Ayden Kirby (138) all won with pins.

"They came out and wrestled like we expected and we’ll strap it on again tomorrow," Wainwright said.

Episcopal had bright moments with Matt Salek (220) and Mark Rinaman (285) scoring wins by fall to add to the team total opened by Christian McGarity at 182 pounds.

17th-ranked Scott Busey gave the team its most excitement when he pinned 5th-ranked Brody Boehm at 126 pounds. Nicholas Pressley also scored a win for the Eagles.

"Episcopal has a good young coach there and he's come in and built a good little program there and they're doing great," Wainwright said.

Suwannee advances to face defending Class 1A state duals champion Jensen Beach on Saturday morning.

"We're going to have to wrestle 50 times better than we just did tomorrow," Wainwright said. "The kids are going to have to elevate their level."

Suwannee 51, Episcopal 27

145: Marshall White (S) p. Baylor Maurer (E) 3:42; 152: Austin McKinney (S) p. Chance Wolffe (E) 1:38; 160: Austin Howard (S) dec. John Fernandez (E) 9-2; 170: Dustin Wood (S) p. Brennan Doherty (E) 5:05; 182: Christian McGarity (E) dec. Benjamin Lewis (S) 7-6; 195: Torynn Johns (S) p. Chance Faucheaux (E) 1:49; 220: Matt Salek (E) p. Sam Ballard (S) 1:45; 285: Mark Rinaman (E) p. Holden Corbin (S) 2:57; 106: Eli Jolicoeur (S) p. Andrew Rhode (E) 1:07; 113: Justin Contreras (S) p. Reese Pittman (E) 0:52; 120: Topher Pearson (S) p. Levi Ritter (E) 2:20; 126: Scott Busey (E) p. Brody Boehm (S) 1:51; 132: Nicholas Pressley (E) p. jonathan gonzalez (S) 0:52; 138: Ayden Kirby (S) p. Cohen Chesser (E) 1:28.