By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



GARDENDALE — The Fultondale Wildcats used strength in numbers to take the 2007 Jim-N-Nicks Invitational title on Saturday.

Fultondale had one weight class champion, but had five runners-up, one third place finisher and a fourth place finisher as they totaled 176 points to top second place Mortimer Jordan by 22 points. The host Gardendale Rockets finished third and Hayden took fifth place, just behind Pinson Valley.

Mortimer Jordan had one champion, two runners-up, two third place finisher’s and two fourth place finisher’s.

Gardendale had two champions, two runners-up and two third place finisher’s. Hayden had two champions, a third place finisher and two fourth place finisher’s.

The Most Outstanding Wrestler of the event, was the Wildcat’s Alec Williams. Williams, a two-time defending state champion, won the 152-pound class with a perfect 4-0 record.

Williams pinned all four opponents. He opened the tournament on Friday night, pinning Chelsea’s Hallmark. Then in the quarterfinals, he pinned Pinson Valley’s Peterson. In the semi-finals, Williams pinned Hayden’s Keith Marsh.

In the final, the Wildcat’s senior pinned Gardendale’s Andrew Todd.

Mortimer Jordan eighth grader Brandon Brindley won the 103-pound title with a 3-0 mark.

In the quarterfinals, he pinned Sumiton Christian’s Lindsay and then in the semi-finals, he pinned Shades Valley’s Clements. In the final, he won by default as Pinson Valley’s McCurdy was unable to wrestle.

Gardendale’s Daniel Swann won the 130-pound title with a 3-0 mark. Each of his wins came at the expense of a Fultondale wrestler.

In the quarterfinals, he pinned Nick Spradling. In the semi-finals, he pinned Kurt Donaldson and in the final, he won a decision against senior Ryan Randall.

The Rockets DeRon Washington won the 160-pound title with a 5-0 mark.

Washington opened the tourney with a pin of Hayden’s Adam Sharp. In the next round, he won by tech-fall over Davidson of Fultondale. In the quarterfinals, he won a decision over Minor’s Davis. In the semi-finals, he won a decision against Minor’s McCord. In the final, he held off Mortimer Jordan’s James Stewart for the title.

Hayden’s Ryan Pridmore won the 119-pound class, posting a 3-0 mark. In the quarterfinals, he pinned Hewitt-Trussville’s Puryear. Then in the semi-finals, he pinned Dora’s Keller and into the final, he pinned Fultondale’s Aaron Martin.

The Wildcat’s Rusty Thigpen won the 189-pound title with a 4-0 mark.

He opened the tourney with a tech-fall win over Sumiton Christian’s Reed. In the quarterfinals, he pinned Minor’s Pollum. In the semi-finals, he won a forfeit from Chelsea’s Scroggins. In the final, he pinned Minor’s Crump.