Warriors get good tests

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 13, 2010 1:47 PM

• Print
• Email

A good measuring stick.

And a scary afternoon, too.

Eastern Wayne's Austin Helm emerged the runner-up at 125 pounds and 140-pounder Nolan Kirkwood shared third-place honors during the 15th Eagle Invitational contested Saturday at Rosewood High School.

"Nolan and Austin wrestled extremely well, and beat some good kids," said second-year Warriors head coach Jonathan Jones. "(The tournament) gave them a chance to see where they're at right now against top-end competition. Austin met a wrestler who reacted quicker than he did."

Millbrook's Lamaine Camara pinned Helm 31 seconds into the second period of their championship match. Kirkwood tied with North Pitt's Tevin Suggs due to the five-match rule.

Overall, 13 Eastern Wayne grapplers combined for 12 individual wins. However, James Barrett and Eric Lemmon each suffered a knee injury and had to withdraw from the 21-team event.

"That was the bad," said Jones. "I don't think we're going to lose either one long term. My young kids, some of them came through with some wins. So, we had some good, positive things in that regard.

"I was most pleased to see the things we're working on in practice are showing on the mat. This tournament really gave my guys a bearing on where they are."

Eastern Wayne returns to the mat Friday for a five-team, non-conference dual. The round-robin event begins at 3 p.m.

-- By RUDY COGGINS