HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Arab High School took a slim 3.5-point lead over two-time defending state champion Gardendale after the first day concluded at the AHSAA 67th State Wrestling Championships underway at the Von Braun Center here.
The Knights posted 60 points in the first day’s 5A/6A division competition and the Rockets had 56.5. Mortimer Jordan was third with 52.5 points and McAdory was fourth with 52. The teams battled through two championship rounds and two consolation rounds. The state championships continue Friday with the Class 7A and Class 1A/4A divisions joining the action which begins at 9 a.m.
All the matches are being live streamed over the NFHS Network by Track Wrestling. Bouts continue Friday with all three divisions closing out the 2022 state tourney Saturday with championship bouts set for Saturday afternoon and consolation championship matches Saturday morning.
Moody High senior Cory Land (54-0), vying to win his fifth state title, opened the 138-pound competition with two quick pins to advance to Friday’s 5A/6A semifinals to take on Bentley Briscoe (26-8). Land extended the AHSAA’s second-longest win streak in it 67-year history to 205 in a row. His last defeat came when he was an eighth grader in 2018.
Arab advanced five wrestlers to the semifinals including Joshua Ray (54-10) at 145 pounds Patrick Lawler (45-8) at 152 pounds, Caleb Roe (52-3) at 182 pounds, Jonathan Pugh (47-4) at 195 pounds and Mohamed Al-khawlani (43-12) at 220 pounds.
Gardendale has five wrestlers in the semifinals including three of four Poe brothers and both Wyatt brothers. Demarcus Poe (52-8) advanced at 106 pounds; Daishon Poe (48-) t 132 pounds; Melton Poe (38-1) at 160 pounds; Keenan Wyatt (51-0) at 170 pounds; and Kennedy Wyatt (51-2) at 182 pounds. Isaiah Poe (48-3) was a favorite to challenge Land at 138 pounds but was unable to compete. The Wyatts are the son of former AHSAA heavyweight wrestling champion and University of Alabama football standout Willie Wyatt.
Alexandria senior Jaden New (55-0) had the quickest pin of the day Thursday winning his first 152-pound match in 14 seconds.
Complete results of the state wrestling championships can be found at Track Wrestling.
