Last Saturday was the 7th Annual Wolverine Invitational Middle School Wrestling Tournament hosted by Clements Middle School.

The event included eight teams, as well as 196 wrestlers from the Newton, Rockdale and Henry Counties.

Indian Creek Middle School registered the highest overall team score with 13 wrestlers placing out of 18 different weight classes. In fact, the Panthers scored 112 points, which included seven champions.

Cousins Middle School finished second with 78 points, as Clements finished a close third with 74 points.

Coach Mike Liessa of Clements Middle School has organized the entire event each year with the help from a host of friends and parents along the way.

Liessa said that the tournament is really designed so that the boys can get some mat time early in the season.

"We hope that this event helps the first-time wrestlers get excited about the sport and hope to continue into high school," said Liessa.

The following are the first place winners representing each weight class: Tyler Bailey (80 pounds, Indian Creek); George Salazar (85, Veterans); Mate Maddox (90, Veterans); Nick White (95, Clements); Casey Shubert (103, Davis); Zach Hutchenson (112, Cousins); Kyle Barronton (119, Indian Creek); Sage Allen (125, Indian Creek); K. Scaggs (130, Indian Creek); Bowen Braswell (135, Cousins); Alex Davis (140, Indian Creek); Jarrod Rickman (145, Indian Creek); Nick Sims (152, Edwards); Tywon Kennedy (160, Clements); Antonio Williams (171, Clements); Mark Smith (189, Indian Creek); Tyler Bolz (215, Edwards); Sam Miller (HWT, Veterans).