MARIETTA, Ga.—In the 2020-21 debut, the Fire had nine wrestlers place among the top five in their respective weight classes during the Life U. Invitational.
Leading the way was freshman
Kohl Drake who won the 184-pound bracket. In his four matches, Drake allowed just four points and scored 24.
At 141,
Jaquan English was the runner-up. The junior was a 4-1 winner in the semifinal round and dropped an 8-1 decision in the championship bout. He scored a third period tech fall to open the day.
Cody Walsh was third at 165 in his SEU debut. The freshman was an 18-3 tech fall winner in the quarters before a 7-6 loss in the semis.
Fifth-year senior
Carlos Diaz and senior
Esau Bazilme both took fourth at 174 and 125, respectively.
Justin Ugarte, a freshman, was also fourth at 149. Bazilme won a 9-8 decision and a 10-3 decision in his first two matches, then was a 12-6 winner in the quarters before an 8-5 loss in the semis.
Diaz scored 29 points in his first two matches and racked up bonus points with a fall and a tech fall to reach the semis. Ugarte majored his way to the semis with 16-4 and 15-3 wins until a 4-2 loss sent him to the consolation bracket.
Placing fifth were
Trillyon Fils-Aime at 197,
Connor Williams at 133 and
Adrian Ayala at 141. All were making their Fire debuts.
Next Saturday, the Fire will host their annual dual tournament starting at 9 a.m. in The Fire Pit.