Fayetteville wrestling coach Trey Selmon may not want the label of favorite in today’s 7A-West Conference Tournament, but most opposing coaches believe the Purple Bulldogs could unseat two-time defending champion Rogers Heritage.
“We feel good about the direction we’re headed,” Selmon said. “We have as good a chance as anybody if we perform like we’re capable. But a little slip-up you’re looking up at the ceiling.”
Fayetteville edged Heritage 36-30 in a dual Tuesday in the rubber match of the season between the two schools. The Purple’Dogs also won the Bentonville Tiger Classic in January by a considerable margin over conference foes Heritage and Bentonville.
The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. today with the finals slated to begin around 4:30 p.m.
Rogers Heritage coach Doug Freeman said his team, which is also the defending Class 6A-7A state champion, was a little inconsistent in Tuesday’s double dual against Fayetteville and Rogers High.
“We had some guys wrestle as good as they have all year like Kevin Rivers, then we had some come out looking good and do some stupid stuff,” Freeman said. “But I think we’ll be ready.”
Freeman said Fayetteville is definitely the favorite coming in, but also said there’s plenty of good wrestlers from each of the schools.
“It will be some good competition,” Freeman said. “Even teams that may not be in the team race, they have good wrestlers.
Selmon acknowledged even though winning the state tournament is his team’s ultimate goal, claiming a 7A-West title means something, too.
“We feel like we can do something special,” Selmon said. “To be the best of the guys you see week in and week out is big.”
The 6A-7A State Tournament is slated for Feb. 25-26 in the Stephens Center in Little Rock.
Today’s Ticket
7A-West Conference Wrestling Tournament
WHEN: 9 a.m.
WHERE: War Eagle Arena, Rogers Heritage
THE TEAMS: Bentonville, Fayetteville, Fort Smith Northside, Fort Smith Southside, Springdale High, Springdale Har-Ber, Rogers High and Rogers Heritage
TICKETS: $5 adults; $3 student.
NOTABLE: Rogers Heritage is the two-time defending conference champion. … Fayetteville’s Cameron Baker (152 pounds) and Devin Bowers (215) are returning conference champions in the same weight class. … Bentonville’s Robert Lewis, Rogers Heritage’s Cole Bundy and Rogers High’s Justin Moore are returning conference champions, but will compete in different weight classes.