Pirate grapplers place fifth in 10-team tourney

Featuring one champion on the day, Hannibal High School’s wrestlers placed fifth in the 10-team Lafayette tournament on Saturday in Wildwood.

“We wrestled well,” said HHS Coach Derek Greening, whose team amassed 186 points on the day. “We’re trying to work hard on the very few things we’ve got left before district and state.”

The tournament provided the Pirates the opportunity to see some new faces.

“It was the first time we’d ever been to that tournament. It was a good tournament,” said Greening, whose team was 2-2 in duals on the day. “We saw a few schools we don’t usually see at all until the state tournament. Some of them above us (in classification) we never see.”

During the course of the tournament, Hannibal won four of 11 matches that were decided by decision. The Pirates had a 13-15 record in matches whose outcome was determined by a pin. HHS claimed a pair of technical fall victories.

Finishing with a perfect 5-0 record was Chandler Fohey, who rolled up 28 points for Hannibal.

“Congratulations to Chandler Fohey for setting the new fastest pin record. Chandler pinned one of his opponents in five seconds,” said Greening.

Another Pirate praised by his coach was Tyler Janes, who finished 4-1 and totaled 22 points for HHS.

“Tyler Janes had a good tournament. He lost to a returning state champion. That was his only loss of the day,” said Greening.

Also logging 4-1 records for Hannibal on Saturday were Colby Collings (19 points) and Kyle Muehring (18 points). Others totaling 18 points in the tournament were Brant Dooley (3-2 record) and Austin Janes (3-2 record).

Next up for Hannibal will be the Fort Zumwalt Quad on Thursday in O’Fallon.

“Fort Zumwalt North is pretty important when we wrestle them because they’re a district opponent, so we can work on our seeds,” said Greening. “Helias is there and is a state opponent. Francis Howell is also there.”