District wrestling tournaments begin on Friday

The odds are with area wrestlers this weekend.

The first step toward the state wrestling tournament begins today with the district round. Mosley travels to Niceville for the District 1-2A tournament, while Arnold hosts the District 1-1A draw on Saturday.

 The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to next week’s regionals. This means the chances of moving on are greatest now, especially in 1-1A, which features only seven teams.

Arnold entertains Bay, Rutherford, Bozeman, Marianna, South Walton and Wewahitchka. Matches begin around 10 a.m. with finals slated for 1 p.m. or sooner.

The Marlins are the favorite to win the team title, and Coach Jeff Skipper expects the bulk of his team, if not all of it to advance.

“I think that most of them should go on,” Skipper said. “I’d be disappointed if all of them don’t, but you never know, there might be a couple of surprises.”

Arnold is led by 112-pounder Joel Ensminger and Doug Miner at 119. Ensminger is 35-1 and Miner 36-0, with all of Miner’s wins coming by pin.

Both wrestlers failed to advance to the state tournament last season. That has given them motivation to improve in 2010.

“They both are really hungry for it,” Skipper said. “Both had the ability to get there last year and have really got after it this year.”

Arnold’s other top wrestlers are Jayme Atkins (125), Colby Baker (130) and Zane Turnipseed (152).

Bozeman will do its best to make a run at Arnold, and should send on a few top stars. They include Brandon Reyes (103), Charles Vincent (135) and Colton Mewbourne (140).

Rutherford is paced by Nick Smith at 171 and Andrew McCabe (152). Bay is led by 171-pound county champion Cornelius Booker and heavyweight Tyrell Biggs.

Mosley will compete today alongside Choctawhatchee, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Gulf Breeze, Milton, Niceville, Tate and Pace in the 1-2A event. The first round starts at 2 p.m. with finals at around 6 p.m.

The Dolphins’ charge is led by Ryan Newsome (135), who is 27-5. Other top Mosley grapplers  are Dylan Humphrey (103), Kyle Angove (119), Jimmy Kahle (140) and Michael Cannizzo (145).

Regional tournaments will be Feb. 12 and 13, with Region 1-2A in Tallahassee and Region 1-1A in Green Cove Springs.