BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Union County High School wrestler Gavin Sparkman earned his 100th career win at Baker County’s Destruction Duals on Jan. 18.
Sparkman, wrestling in the 140-pound class, earned two wins by pin in the tournament, defeating Palatka’s Blake Young in 1:03 and Baldwin’s Ladon Hartwell in 32 seconds. Sparkman was also awarded a win by forfeit against Raines.
The tournament saw Union defeat Raines 54-18, Palatka 42-24 and Baldwin 45-17, while the Tigers lost 71-6 to eventual champ Ponte Vedra and 67-12 to St. Augustine.
In the match against Raines, Alec French (134-pound class), Jarred Bennett (146), Hunter Cruz (152), Akireon Boykin (159), Carsen Thomas (177), Gage Lewis (192) and Mason Fassett (217) were all awarded wins by forfeit. Wyatt Elixson (167) earned a win by pinning Cameron Carter in 4:59.
Elixson and Thomas each recorded pins in 57 seconds over their opponents in the Tigers’ win over Palatka. Bennet, Cruz, Boykin and Breydan Peugh (108) all had wins by forfeit.
Sparkman’s victory in the win over Baldwin was one of six Union had by pin. French won in 1:15, Boykin in 55 seconds, Elixson in 35 seconds, Thomas in 1:38 and C.J. Ivey (192) in 55 seconds. Bennett recorded a 16-9 victory, while Peugh was awarded a win by forfeit.
