Bulger, Ordonez top award winners
Published 6:14 pm Friday, April 22, 2011
Bainbridge High School Bearcats wrestlers Cole Bulger and Bryan Ordonez won two major awards at Thursday’s Bearcats wrestling awards banquet at the Bainbridge Middle School cafeteria.
At the banquet, which honored Coach David Kirkland’s BHS Bearcats wrestlers and Coach Chad Smith’s Bainbridge Middle School Bearcats wrestlers, Bulger won the Hustle award and Ordonez won the Most Improved Wrestler award.
Both Bulger and Ordonez qualified to compete at the State Class AAAA Wrestling Finals at the Gwinnett County Event Center.
Bulger, who competed in the 119-pound weight division, and Ordonez, who competed in the 135-pound weight division, competed along with their 165-pound and 285-pound weight division teammates Roberto Sierra and Lawrence Jones at the State Western Divisional Tournament in Cartersville, Ga.
The Bearcats team was also honored for a strong effort at the Region 1AAAA Tournament at Lee County High School in Leesburg.
“This was the first time in about three years that we had two wrestlers, Cole Bulger and Bryan Ordonez, in the Region finals,” Coach Kirkland said.
“I am so proud of all our wrestlers. It is hard for all these kids to keep on weight the entire season. They have to watch what they eat and work very hard.
“When you have boys who have a 140-pound body frame wrestling at 119 pounds, as Cole Bulger did, it is often a struggle.”
Other varsity performers honored were Jacob Trawick, Hunter Long, Marc Fleetwood, Miguel Barron, Agipito Estala, Tyler Pollock, Kole Gilbourn, Tucker Heard, Roberto Sierra, Matt Hill, and Lawrence Jones.
Curt Marshall, who had a13-1 match record, and Hayden Guy, who had a 15-3 match record, received middle school outstanding wrestler awards.
Middle school newcomers of the year awards went to Tshombe McKay with a 12-1 record and Greg Merritt with an 11-1 record.
Jack Reynolds and Damian Rachley received most improved middle school wrestler awards and Blake Merchant received the middle school Coaches Award.
Jose Garcia received the middle school dedication award.
Middle school captains awards went to Grayson Heard, Hayden Guy, Curt Marshall, Dalin Mack and Blake Merchant.
Career middle school awards went to Ashton Cato, Grayson Heard and Mason Birdsong. The middle school scholar athletes with the top three grade point averages were Jose Garcia, Hayden Godwin and Jack Reynolds.
Jose Garcia also received the dedication award.