With only a week of practice under their belts, the Bainbridge High School wrestling team took the mat last Saturday for its first tournament of the season.

Junior Ryan Adams, a state qualifier last season, quickly returned to form as he pinned his first three opponents in the first round to earn a spot in the championship match in the 220-pound weight class.

“It felt pretty good,” Adams said about placing in the first tournament of the year. “I felt I could have done better. First dude I’ve ever wrestled that was twice as big as me. It was my first tournament that I ever got to wrestle for first.”

After receiving a bye in the first round of the tournament freshman Blaise Starks pinned the first two opponents of his high school career to secure a spot in the 160-pound championship match.

“I was pretty nervous, I was kind of scared,” Starks said about his tournament experience. “I was really hoping for first. I could’ve done better, but I didn’t. There’s things I need to work on. “

Adams and Starks both finished second in the tournament after losing in the final round. Sophomore Tristan Manley also finished second on Saturday and his classmate Tre Storey finished fourth in the 195-pound weight.

“Better than I anticipated doing,” Coach Chad Smith said. “Blaise really impressed me. He’s a ninth grader. First week of practice he’s been number one in everything. I look for Blaise to be a region contender this year.”

The Bearcats wrestle three times this week with duel matches in Cairo and Thomasville on Thursday and Friday and a tournament at Childs High in Tallahassee on Saturday.