Wrestling team begins season

The Homewood High School wrestling team started off its season on Dec. 3 with a win over Chelsea High School and a third place finish at the Gardendale Invitational on Dec. 4 and 5. Eight team members placed in the tournament: Daniel and Miguel Figueroa were named champions, Jesus Figueroa and Marshall Stone placed second in their classes, Bailey Roan and Carial Tarter placed third and Wesley Butler and Javonic Turner placed fourth.

The team is still developing as some wrestlers have changed weight classes. The team leaders are seniors Daniel Figueroa, the defending Sectional Champion and two-time state placer, and Wesley Butler, returning state qualifier.  

With the success of the eight placers at Gardendale, the coaches are excited to see the development of several wrestlers who did not place but wrestled well, such as Jake Vella who went 3-2, Ethan Sherman who went 2-2 and Jabari Blackmon, who was on a winning streak but did not place as he missed his weight that day. The coaches also expect good performance from two returning starters, Kris Wilkins and Avi Goldstein. 

Daniel and Jesus Figueroa, Stone, Tarter, Turner, Butler and Ethan Sherman are previous state qualifiers at the high school level. Miguel Figueroa was a Metro Champion and State runner-up in middle school last year, and other young wrestlers to watch include Tobias Thomas, Turner, Tarter, Blackmon and Goldstein.

- Submitted by Eddie Crocker