By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Despite sitting out several key starters, the Charles Page High School wrestling squad was still more than capable of finishing third at their home tournament behind the #1 teams in 6A and 5A. After upsetting the #1 Broken Arrow Tigers Thursday night, the most important thing for the Sandites to do now is remain healthy for Regionals, State, and Dual State. #8 Riley Weir, John Jiminez, #2 Trace Fleischman, #7 Lane Lettich, and Delvin Jordan all sat out the tournament to rest and recover, and several backups got to see their first varsity action of the season.

(Part One of Five...)

With Weir nursing a hurt arm, the Sandites didn't wrestle anybody at 106.

At 113 Sand Springs wrestled #5 Michael Ritchey (11-11) against #9 Laif Jones of Bartlesville, and the hometown boy put forward a 3-1 decision for the win. Unfortunately in the next round he was pitted against the #3-ranked State Runner-Up Mason Naifeh of Union. Earlier this week Naifeh defeated Ritchey by a narrow 4-1 decision in the dual, but this time the Perry Champion would pull even further ahead for an 11-3 major, sending Ritchey to the consolation bracket. From there Ritchey rebounded with an 11-3 major of his own over #8 John Warford of Sapulpa, but fell 2-1 to Barnsdall's Logan Bryant and had to settle for fourth place.

Also at 113, but wrestling unattached, was junior Kenny Daniel (0-2) who made his first varsity appearance since the Bixby dual last January. Daniel was pinned in 1:37 by Bryant and 2:45 by Warford.

120 #6 Blake Sargent (21-7) made a great opening statement with a 3:37 pin of #9 Cameron Clark of Sapulpa, then followed it up with a 6-3 decision over Devon Ball (Sperry) and a 1-0 decision against Union's Cordney Chairs to wrap up the first day's action. In the Saturday finals Sargent got a rematch against #7 TaJuan Daniels of Broken Arrow, whom he had just beaten 4-2 in overtime Thursday night. Once more the Sandite would prevail, this time 3-2 for a first place finish.