OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Lake Weir High School’s (LWHS) wrestling team wrapped up a memorable season with impressive showings at county, district, and regional tournaments. Leading the charge were seniors Joel Smith and Mason Pieron, along with junior standout Louden Grooms.
At the Marion County Tournament held at Westport, Grooms took first place, while Smith, Pieron, freshman Chris Brobst, and Austin Smith earned second. Juniors Lorenzo Morales, Maliki Smith, and Benjamin Morales each took third, helping Lake Weir secure a third-place team finish.
The District Tournament at Crystal River saw similar success: Grooms claimed another first place finish, Smith second, and Pieron third. Several others placed fourth. Grooms and Smith advanced to Regionals, where both placed third, earning spots at the Florida State Championships in Kissimmee.
While neither wrestler reached the final day, both showed heart with Smith pinning his first opponent in just 22 seconds. Grooms bounced back from a first-round loss to dominate his second match 17-0.
Meanwhile, a friendly rivalry came full circle between Smith and Dunnellon’s Ryland Richardson. “Over the past four years, Ryland and our own Joel Smith have had an incredible rivalry,” says Laura Hill, mom to LWHS freshman Chris Brobst. “We believe that competing with the best is what drives greatness, and Ryland has proven to be an exceptional athlete – and an even more exceptional young man.”
Hill also had high praise for Dunnellon Coach Chance Luckey who she says continues to earn respect across the county for his leadership and values both on and off the mat.