A Madill High School junior and freshman both placed at the 1st Annual Southmore Greg George Preseason Classic. Jackson Harper (MHS Junior) and Alex Sarabia (MHS Freshman) took 2nd and 4th place in the event.
Both are members of the WarHammerWrestlingClub, representing Madill. For Sarabia, this tourney was his first time wrestling junior and senior heavyweights in Folkstyle. He wrestled five matches with a record of 3-2.
Sarabia said he loved the thrill of the tournament.
“I love it. I love it. I loved the challenge,” Sarabia said. “Even with my 2 losses, I realized it ain’t that deep. I’m learning and improving. Can’t wait for the next tournaments.”
Harper blew doors on everyone right up to the finals at 144lbs. He wrestled four matches with a record of 3-1. In that final, Harper was all grit, being the only wrestler not pinned by his opponent, who was a 2024 state placer. Harper forced him to work for a TF. Taking 2nd place was a hugeWforHarper,whoseface beamed at his accomplishment and the promise of a stellar 2025 season.
Coaches Peter Hammer and Roger Frizzell said they are thrilled for Harper and Sarabia.
Sarabia’s win didn’t stop at the Southmore Greg George Preseason Classic. He also took silver for the 15U HWT division at the Inaugural Stilly Boys Nationals at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant.
Sarabia is on a roll representing the WarHammer Wrestling Club of Kingston. He just earned his 4th Folkstyle tournament medal in approximate4ly eight weeks, battling through a sprained ankle in his first bout at the Nationals to do it. He finished with 2 wins and 1 loss.
Over the course of Sarabia’s two years of wrestling folkstyle, he bounced back from a record of 5-25 as a 7th grader to dominate with a record of 26-5 and becoming a Fargo Qualifier in Freestyle with Coach Peter Hammer of the Club .