Special to the Reporter

Pelham’s wrestling team lost matches to both Spain Park and Oak Mountain in the Panthers’ Shelby County Tri tournament last Wednesday before traveling to Alexander City for the Ben Russell Duals over the weekend.

Last Wednesday night’s matches saw the Panthers fall to Spain Park 44-30 and then to Oak Mountain 38-35.

In the loss to Spain Park, Pelham’s Kevin Hendricks pinned the Jaguars’ Thomas Walker, Kyle Mullins pinned Matt Noto, Cody Browning pinned William Fennigan and Ben Johnson defeated Matt Laird.

Four Panthers pinned their oppenents as Pelham fell to the Eagles. Andy Johnson pinned Josh Wiseman, Tyler Burger pinned L.J. Vatella, Kevin Hendricks pinned McCallum and Tyler Knox pinned Dennis Hillman. Also winning for Pelham were Jason Troutman, who defeated Joel Holmes, and Nathan Richey, who defeated Craig Phillips.

Last Friday and Saturday Pelham competed in the Ben Russell Duals in Alexander City.

Pelham finished the tournament with a 2-6 record.

The Panthers defeated Auburn, 47-39, and Robert E. Lee, 60-28. Pelham lost to Opelika, 45-34; Homewood, 46-33; Ben Russell, 47-27; Spain Park, 43-33; Tallahasse, 39-37; and Fort Payne, 40-33.

&uot;The wrestlers worked hard and wrestled tough and fought to overcome giving up 12-24 points we forfeited due to sickness or injury,&uot; said Pelham wrestling coach Bob Parker.

The Panthers wrestle again Jan. 2 and 3 at the Hoover Invitational.

Pelham’s Ben Johnson was named the McAllisters Wrestler of the Week after finishing the week with a 10-0 record