Wellington wrestling pins Olympic Heights to advance to state tournament

Emilee Smarr, Palm Beach Post
·2 min read

JUPITER — Wellington wrestlers pinned a Region 3 duals tournament win Thursday evening to advance to state finals next weekend at Osceola High - Kissimmee.

Olympic Heights posted a 57-24 win over Palm Beach Gardens as the Wolverines defeated host team Jupiter 61-15 in the first round for the two victors to meet in a postseason rematch.

In December, both programs duked it out for their fifth straight district dual titles – the Lions a new addition to District 12. Wellington won then, 48-21, and improved their winning score in their most recent meeting to 59-15.

Wellington wrestlers pose with the trophy after their regional duals win at host Jupiter High.
Wellington wrestlers pose with the trophy after their regional duals win at host Jupiter High.

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Coaching his fifteenth roster of Wolverines in the 2021-22 season, Travis Gray said he "couldn't be more proud" of his wrestlers.

"They have been working two hard practices a day and their efforts were rewarded tonight," Gray said, leading his athletes in morning runs and sessions in the weight room.

Hard work aside, Wellington had a good idea of what it was bringing to the mat at regionals, hosting five top-ranked grapplers of the 14 weight divisions just ahead of its district win.

“I feel like we have a diversity when it comes to our wrestling. Other teams don’t know what to expect when it comes to us,” senior wrestler Edol Adonis said.

Junior Patrick Jones is currently ranked No. 2 in the state at 106 pounds, but bumped up to the 113 weight class and earned a win over No. 6 Isaac Gibbs of Olympic Heights with a late third period takedown.

Adonis, Wellington’s 170-pounder, posted another win in a strenuous battle with Lion and No. 10 overall Bill Charles, making a takedown that he turned into a pin.

“It’s very rewarding to have a win over him because now I’m getting results from all my hard work,” Adonis said.

"Our team as a whole all worked hard to put up as many points as they could for the team," Gray said.

As state looms arou, Gray and his pack will be keeping their heads down and focusing on preparation for their last match of the season.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Wellington wrestling on to state after regional win over Olympic Heights