By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

OPELIKA – The Pelham Panthers wrestling team has been growing throughout the 2018-19 wrestling season, and on Monday, Jan. 21, the Panthers got their crack to compete against some of the state’s best teams at the 2019 Bulldawg Brawl hosted by Opelika High School.

In their four dual matchups, Pelham was able to win one of its matches, while losing two closely contested matches to Russell County and Columbus (Ga.) as well as a match to one of the state’s best teams in Spanish Fort.

Against Northview High School, the Panthers were able to pull away for a dominant 42-16 victory, while losing a tight match to Russell County 42-38.

Columbus (Ga.) took down the Panthers 45-29, while Spanish Fort was able to pick up a 55-18 victory.

Against Northview, Pelham was able to pick up wins in five of the first eight weight classes with the other three divisions all being double forfeits, which gave the Panthers a 30-0 advantage.

In those weight classes, Josh Walton, Jordan Copeland, Joseph Chimento and Alexander Terry were all able to pick up pins, while Seth Branham got a forfeit victory.

Two of Northview’s three victories came thanks to forfeits, while the team’s lone competitive win came with a major decision victory in the 120-pound weight class.

Pelham’s last 12 points came from forfeit victories from Bryce Wanagat in the 126-pound weight class and Cason Tyler in the 285-pound weight class.

The matchup with Russell County saw several forfeits make a difference.

Pelham was able to win four matches via forfeit, which accounted for 24 of the Panthers’ 38 points, while Russell County posted six forfeit wins for a total of 36 of their 42 points.

Aside from that, Pelham got a pin from Stone Peerson and two major decision wins from Walton and Branham, as the Panthers actually edged Russell County in head-to-head matchups.

Against Columbus, Pelham got pins from Wanagat, Copeland and Chimento, while Branham picked up a major-decision victory.

Against Spanish Fort, the Panthers were able to squeeze out a few highlights starting with Noah Schilleci in the 120-pound weight class thanks to a pin.

Branham also continued an impressive day with a pin of his own in the 138-pound weight class.