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  • Duncan’s Connor Kelly grapples with teammate Christian Carnahan Thursday afternoon during practice at Duncan High School. Wrestling will begin at Noon today as the Demons host the West Regional Wrestling Tournament. Evan Grice/The Duncan Banner

    Connor Kelly
February 14, 2013

Demons ready to rumble at regionals

Evan Grice The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Starting today, there is no room for mistakes.

At high noon from Duncan Gymnasium, the Class 5A West Regional Wrestling tournament will begin with wrestlers from 15 schools looking for one of four tickets in their respective weight divisions to the state tournament in Oklahoma City at the State Fair Grounds Arena.

This two-day tournament will see champions crowned on Saturday night as sessions will run from Noon- 4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. both today and Saturday.

“It’s intense,” Duncan coach Kevin Kelly said about the regional tournament atmosphere. “You wrestle summer camps and then we start in October preparing for this weekend. This is the weekend where kids either step up and rise to the occasion or go the other way. You hope all the kids minds are right and they are ready to go.”

Representing the Demons this weekend will be 14 different wrestlers all looking for berths in the state tournament.

Here are just a few of the Duncan wrestlers that will be in action this weekend.  

MarkWae Sanders will be aiming to get back to Oklahoma City as he wrestles in the 113 pound division, with Dustin Chase competing in the 106 pound division.

Jett Gray will see action at 120 pounds, with Hunter Kelly looking for gold in the 132 pound division.

At 138 pounds, Austin Drake will look to make some noise for Duncan, with teammate Connor Kelly a strong contender in the 145 pound division, as he claimed the top seed.  

Christian Carnahan will try to continue his successful career as he looks for a title in the 152 pound division with Connor Kinnaird entering regionals in the 160 pound division.

“My main concern right now is making weight,” Carnahan said. “I just need to make sure I stay focused and not overlook anyone. This is live or die, especially if you don’t place in the top four. It’s a big advantage being at home, because I’m comfortable in my own gym.”

Jonathan Gomez and Cody Merrill will be looking for gold in the 182 and 195 pound divisions respectively, with Cameron McGill gunning for a title in the 220 pound division.

Daniel Moore will be in the heavyweight division.

“For the past several years we’ve wrestled better at home than away,” Kelly said. “Some kids though it will add a little pressure on them. Hopefully though it motivates us. As a coach you always pick a number before regionals to qualify. If we get more than eight, I’ll be extremely happy. Every kid we have has the chance to win matches. It’s about who’s ready to compete and extend their season.”

Meanwhile in other action this weekend Comanche, Marlow and Waurika will be in Kingfisher for the Class 3A regional wrestling tournament.

“I’ve got multiple returning qualifiers from last season,” Comanche coach Jason Miller said. “These guys know when to step up and perform. We’re fairly confident that JonWayne (Townsend) can do really good. All season though we’ve been a hit and miss team so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Corey Williams (113), Shayne Revels (120), Ricky Kelly (126), Jonathan Robinson (145), and Devin Renfro (182) will be just a few of the Indians in action looking for regional titles this weekend.

Seth Scarbrough (145), Cody Scroggins (138) and Logan Knox (113) will be in action for the Outlaws, with Josh Jacobson representing Waurika.

 

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