Pulaski Academy used its entire team to win its first state wrestling championship.
With all 13 of their wrestlers placing, the Bruins won the Class 1A-5A classification, outpointing Hot Springs Lakeside 316-229 on Saturday at the state high school wrestling tournament at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
Bentonville won the Class 6A-7A state championship, besting Bentonville West 245-224.
In his senior season at Pulaski Academy, Layne Hatcher, who won four state championships in football, including three as the starting quarterback, said he was glad to finally get a team wrestling crown.
"It's the greatest feeling I've had in wrestling, for sure," said Hatcher, who will play football at Arkansas State University. "It's a beautiful thing to see the hard work pay off."
Pulaski Academy had six wrestlers win championships Saturday and seven others place third, fourth, fifth or sixth. In fact, the Bruins had placers in 13 of the tournament's 14 weight classes.
"It tickled me to no end," said Pulaski Academy Coach Bruce Dickey, whose team had a 268-211 lead over Hot Springs Lakeside entering the championship round.
A year ago, Pulaski Academy lost by four points, 299-295, to Greenbrier. That was on Dickey's mind throughout the season and on Saturday.
"When you lose by a few points and it comes down to the last match, it doesn't go away. It doesn't sit well with you," Dickey said. "We picked up a few good young wrestlers. They worked exceptionally hard."
Hatcher (195 pounds) and fellow senior James Noel (182 pounds) became the fifth and sixth wrestlers in Arkansas high school history to win four state championships, as recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association. Noel pinned Hot Springs Lakeside's Alex Stewart in 1:20. Hatcher also earned a pin, defeating Joe T. Robinson's Shumar Blair in 3:01.
"It's no surprise we did it together," Hatcher said of Noel. "In order to be great, you have to have a great training partner. I felt like me and Jimmy were perfect for each other. We beat each other up every day just enough to make us great."
Also for Pulaski Academy, senior Michael Crockett (132 pounds) and Ford Aguiar (220 pounds), and sophomores RT Noel (138 pounds) and Dregan Smith (145 pounds) won state titles.
Other Pulaski Academy placers included Carter Bierbaum (sixth, 106 pounds), Drew Johnson (fifth, 120 pounds), Jalyn Witcher (fifth, 126 pounds), Dylan Allison (third, 152 pounds), JP Cady (second, 160 pounds), Thomas Wheelis (third, 170 pounds) and Allen Amuimuia (third, 285 pounds).
Bentonville picked up individual state championships from Cash Jones (170 pounds) and Zane Sims (138 pounds).
In key Class 6A-7A state title matches, Rogers' Jake Turner won the 145-pound crown with a 12-6 decision over Russellville's Logan Sloss and Searcy's Demaceo Whittier pinned Bentonville West's Gunner Coppinger in 2:41.
Three wrestlers finished their season without a loss, including James Noel (57-0), Maumelle's Jakob Beene (32-0) and Bentonville West's Jacob Adams (17-0).
Beene, competing at 120 pounds in Class 1A-5A, earned a 2-0 decision over Glen Rose's Rhodney Phillips for his second state championship. Adams defeated Greenwood's Ty Moose with a 7-2 decision in the Class 6A-7A 120-pound title match.
Hot Springs Lakeside had its best finish at a state wrestling tournament coming in second and had one champion wrestler, Chance Mahan in the Class 1A-5A 113-pound class.
Two-time defending Class 1A-5A state champion Greenbrier finished third with 219 points. Rylan Howard won a state championship in the 152-pound class for the Panthers.
The way Pulaski Academy won their first state wrestling title with 13 state placers was pleasing for Dickey, in his eighth season at the Little Rock school.
"It takes the whole village," said Dickey, who credited his school's administration, wrestlers, parents and supporters for the Bruins' championship. "It's not just me.
"That's what you have to have to be successful."
Sports on 02/18/2018