Chelsea High School junior Jacob Scherzer became the first Hornet in school history to qualify for the state wrestling tournament to be held at the Pelham Civic Complex Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

Scherzer, who also plays soccer for the Hornets, will wrestle in the 215-pound division for the Hornets.

Representing Oak Mountain High School will be Matt Vinyard in the 103-pound division; J.R. Long, 135-pound; Brandon Lambert, 140-pound; Kyle Stevenson, 171-pound; and Clay Dykes, 189-pound.

Representing Pelham High School will be Tyler Burger in the 119-pound classification; Taylor McIntosh, 130-pound; Kevin Hendricks, 135-pound; Nathan Richey, 160-pound; Ben Johnson, 171-pound; Tommy Ferguson, 198-pound; and Cody Browning, 215-pound.

Pelham head coach Bob Parker said some of his wrestlers went through a lot to qualify for the tournament.

&uot;We found out Ben (Johnson) had pneumonia and Cody (Browning) broke his nose during a match, and both of them came back and wrestled and qualified for the state tournament,&uot; Parker said.

Schedule of events for the tournament are as follows:

Friday, Jan. 31

Weigh-in, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; opening ceremonies, 11:45 a.m.-noon; round one (prelims) 12:30-3:30 p.m.; round two (consolation prelims) 5:30-7 p.m. (6 mats); championship semi-finals, 7-9 p.m. (6 mats).

Saturday, Feb. 1

Weight-in, 8-9 a.m.; round three (consolation semi-finals) 9:30-11 a.m. (6 mats); consolation finals, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; round four (gates open), 2:30 p.m.; introduction of finalists, 3 p.m.; finals, 3:30 p.m.-conclusion; awards – after conclusion of all final matches