Wrestling
Spain Park’s Kevin McClure (top) beats Hoover’s Bret Winters at the “Battle for the Ball” match.
Hoover High’s and Spain Park High’s wrestling program, now led by Jacob Gaydosh, has a rich tradition dating back to the Berry High days when Duke Chimento ruled. The Berry Bucs won a state championship in 1972, and had several runner-up teams before the Hoover Bucs picked up crowns in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010.
One of Chimento’s hobbies and passions was bowling. The wrestling match between and Hoover High and Spain Park High is known as “The Battle for the Ball.” The ball is a bowling ball, and it is the trophy that goes to the winner of the match. The “Ball” is a traveling trophy — it stays with the school that wins the match.
Hoover claimed this season’s Battle for the Ball, dominating Spain Park 70-9.
The Jaguars got a big win at 220 pounds, where Kevin McClure decisioned Bret Winters. Clay Christian defeated Jacob Brady at 126 for the Jags.
Here is the complete results of the championship at each weight class:
106: Patterson Huff (HOOV) over Zac Evans (SPH) (Fall 1:56)
113: Gage Camp (HOOV) over Emmanuel Thuo (SPH) (Fall 0:20)
120: Larry Wallace (HOOV) over Sam Shroyer (SPH) (Fall 5:32)
126: Clay Christian (SPH) over Jacob Brady (HOOV) (Fall 1:15)
132: Jarrett Anthony (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.)
138: Connor Metcalf (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.)
145: Randy Jenkins (HOOV) over Jacob Parker (SPH) (Fall 1:05)
152: Jackson Hall (HOOV) over Leon Strong (SPH) (MD 12-3)
160: Lake Williams (HOOV) over Jack Ingram (SPH) (Fall 2:37)
170: Brandon Sirico (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.)
182: Drew Addison (HOOV) over Michael Avery (SPH) (Fall 1:28)
195: Roman Cooper (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.)
220: Kevin McClure (SPH) over Bret Winters (HOOV) (Dec 9-2)
285: Gavin Jackson (HOOV) over Taylor Cox (SPH) (Fall 0:59)
Previously at the Julian McPhillips Invitational at St. James in Montgomery, Jaguar wrestlers Leon Strong and Kevin McClure fared well. Strong placed third in the 154-pound class, winning five straight matches after losing his first bout. He advanced through the consolation bracket to beat Jonathan Foshee of Auburn in the third-place match.
McClure won the championship at 222 pounds. McClure improved to 37-3 as rolled through four matches undefeated, winning the final over Randy Hooks of Auburn by major decision.
