Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Wrestlers Start Practice for Another Season

The Gryphon Wrestling Team started practice this week in preparation for it's upcoming season. Coach Jermaine Jones brings his team into the wrestling room for practice after he finishes up his coaching duties for the Gryphon Football Team. As Coach Jones begins his fourth year as the Head Coach, he will continue to work on building a formidable program.

Two years ago, in Jones' second year as head coach, the Gryphs narrowly lost out on a Regular Season Conference Championship when they tied Southern Nash on the mat in a conference duel, falling only to criteria. That season saw his grapplers qualify for the State Team Tournament; the first time since. . .well, since anyone could remember.

Last year, he guided the team to a Conference Co-Championship with Nash Central, as the rivals split their two conference duals. The Gryphs wrestled away bragging rights from the Bulldogs, however, by winning the Conference Tournament. (And proud to be one of a record 10 Conference Crowns by Gryphon sports teams in '07 - '08).

Excitement is growing within the program for the 2008 - 2009 campaign. The team lost only two wrestlers from last year's championship squad. This year's hopefuls are led by Senior, Three-time Conference Champion and Two-time State Qualifier Francisco Alfaro; Senior and defending Conference Champion at 171 pounds and the team's other State Qualifier Dedrick Silver; Two-Time Conference Champion, Junior Chandler Phillips and 112 pound Conference Champion Ahmir Scott. A strong returning contingent includes Seniors Guy Williamson, Darryl Cross, Ralph Bennet and Grant Wilson. Junior returners include Johnny Stewart, Justin Atkinson and Anthony Miller. Sophomore Robert Barnes rounds out the returning veterans. There are several new faces and Freshman ready to compete for mat time, also.

The Gryphons open the season at home against a perennially strong Greenville Rose team at 7:00 PM on Wednesday November 12. Rocky Mount will also host the first Conference Dual Tournament on Saturday, December 13.

The Gryphs will battle each of the other five NEW 6 Conference foes starting at 10:00 AM.

Mark your calendars and come out to support another Great Gryphon Wrestling Season.

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