Tigers Repeat as Region 8 Team Duals Championships

Your Tigers wrestled their way to back-to-back Region 8 Team Duals Championships Friday night defeating Bartlett 48-30. Arlington began the evening with a very efficient victory over Collierville in the semi-finals 47-0 with four straight pins to start the dual. Arlington only wrestled five of their starters to complete the win and advance to the finals against Bartlett High School. The Bartlett team had defeated last year's second place finisher Houston High School to advance to the finals. Bartlett was strongly motivated to avenge two previous losses to Arlington during the season in front of their home fans. Arlington had other ideas and started their dual with pinfalls from seniors Michael Mowery at 145lbs and Bailey Hulley at 152lbs. Bartlett got the best of freshman Austin Antcliffe in a great match but the Tigers responded with four consecutive pins by Aaron Moore (170), Keith Dowell (182), Todd Roaten (195), and Ray Hardin (220). Bartlett won the match at 285 by pin making the team score 36-12, with Arlington firmly in control. Freshman Reed Cannon pinned his opponent at 106lbs. Arlington was looking to seal the championship victory at 113lbs but it was not to be. A pins by Bartlett at 120lbs and a forfeit by Arlington at 126lbs put the team score to 42-30 with only two matches left. Bartlett had to win both remaining matches by 6-point pinfalls to tie, which meant that next match was crucial as the momentum began to shift in Bartlett's favor. At 132lbs, sophomore Harrison Phillips sealed Arlington's victory in resounding fashion by pinning his Bartlett opponent halfway through the second period. The Tigers now advance to the State Duals Tournament next week!