Lakeside wrestles title from Bulldogs

The Butler High School wrestling team raised its collective head on Groundhog Day, and the Bulldogs found themselves in the shadow of the Lakeside High School squad.

Rather than six more weeks of winter, the Bulldogs decreed another one-year Region 3-AAAA reign for the newly-crowned Lakeside Panthers.

The Panthers pounced on the Bulldogs and won the Region 3-AAAA team title 230.5-172 Saturday at Butler High School. Lakeside, the 1999 region champs, returned to the throne by knocking off the defending-champion Bulldogs.

Lakeside's victory completed a trophy sweep this season - the Panthers previously captured the Region 3-AAAA Team Dual Championship on Jan. 23.

Greenbrier's first-year wrestling squad also had a strong showing Saturday. The Wolfpack placed third, with 130 points.

Lakeside won titles in eight of 14 weight classes. The Panthers' champions were Richard Fontimayor (103 weight class), Chris Fontimayor (112), Mike Ingham (130), Jeff Garlington (125), J.P. Dixon (130), Rhett Carter (135), Justin Otis (152), and, Tanner Richards (275).

Second-place finishers for Lakeside were Sam Jasinski (171) and Blaine Carter (215). Greenbrier wrestlers grabbing second-place spots were Greg Siebe (125), Josh Inuoye (140), and David Weitz (189).

All wrestlers who finished in the top four Saturday qualified to compete in the Class AAAA state championships in Rome, Ga., this weekend.

Other Columbia County state qualifiers were: Stuart Baker (Greenbrier, third place in the 112 weight class); Brooks Kennedy (Greenbrier, third in 119); David Quigley (Greenbrier, third in 130); Cole Spoon (Greenbrier, fourth in 135); Blake Goolsby (Lakeside, fourth in 140); Kyle Overton (Greenbrier, fourth in 145); James Walker (Greenbrier, third in 152); Cody Howard (Lakeside, fourth in 160); and, Todd Mulder (Greenbrier, third in 170).