Copperas Cove wrestlers claim three more Championships to end first half of the season
By Ryan Robbins
Special to the Leader-Press
The Bulldawg and Lady Dawg wrestling programs traveled to Bryan to take part in the 25th Annual Doc Hess Invitational. This is traditionally one of the largest tournaments of the year, and this year did not disappoint, with having nearly 50 teams from across the state. Because of it’s size, the tournament style was similar to last week where there are 2 brackets per weight class, with the two winners facing off in a Super Final.
Due to the holiday break and injuries, the Bulldawgs only travelled with 10 wrestlers instead of their usual 13. #9-6A Frankie Limon (126) and #13-6A Ryan Bithorn (170) continued their dominance by making their to back-to-back Super Finals. Frankie won his 1st place match against #8-5A ranked Harl Ball of Georgetown. Ryan faced #3-PREP William Suttle in his 1st place match, but made shorter work of his opponent, winning via pinfall in 1:09. That et the stage for both to compete in their respective Super Final against #10-6A Jayden Jones from Klein Oak and #1-6A Caleb Sebra from SA Johnson. Frankie started off fast with a takedown at the beginning of the match and was in control the entire time until he won via pinfall 25 seconds into the second period. Ryan unfortunately was unable to win his Super Final. After scoring the first take down of the match, Sebra was able to eventually take control of the match and come out with the victory. Ryan is the only wrestler to score on Sebra in the last two tournaments. Christian Boling (182) Kadir Cox (160) and Jonah Gordon (145) also added team points for the Bulldawgs. The Bulldawgs ended up finishing 11th out of 49 teams.
The Lady Dawgs continue to impress with multiple girls winning medals. #3-6A Mya Watson (215) bounced back from her 3rd place finish last week and pinned her way to her second championship of the year and punched her ticket to the Super Final. Mya finished the championship match in the first period via pinfall against #15-6A Rylee Ferranti from Klein Oak. Her Super Final was against #2-6A Rewa Chababo from Katy Mayde Creek with State Medal implications. Chababo was able to secure the victory, but not without a fight from Mya. Janel Golderos (119) also pinned her way to her second 1st place match of the year before losing in the championship match against #13-6A Bella Madid from Austin Westlake. Leeann Edmond (110) also won 3rd in her bracket. Michaela Grimm (95), Dalyncia Cook (128), Jennifer Denton (148), Vera Hathaway (165), and Anastasia Cook (185) all added team points for the Lady Dawgs. The Lady Dawgs finished 8th out of 47 teams and were only 8 points away from being tied for 3rd.
At the midway point of the season, the Bulldawgs have 2 state ranked wrestlers: Frankie Limon #9-6A and Ryan Bithorn #13-6A. The Lady Dawgs also have 2 state ranked wrestlers: Michaela Grimm #15-6A and Mya Watson #3-6A. The Lady Dawgs as a whole are currently ranked #23-6A. This is the first time either team has been ranked in the state. Great job to the Lady Dawg wrestlers!
Both teams are getting a break over the holiday season and will come back for the Cen-Tex Invitational on Jan 7-8 at the Delco Center in Austin.