Wrestlers Marco Groves, Gator Groves and Noah Bello qualified for the state tournament. State is Feb. 12 to 14 in Presott at the Tim’s Toyota Center.
The Division Two, Section III tournament was on Feb. 6 and 7. Marco Groves won the 132 pound championship. Bello got second place in the 152 pound title.
Gator Groves pinned all his opponents on the first period and claimed the 120 pound title. Gator Groves earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler award. He has the state best record with 48-1 and enters the state tournament as the top seed in his weight class.
Bello, freshman Marco Groves, and freshman Bobby “Gator” Groves are at the top of the team with their individual competitions.
Bello is 42-5, Marco Groves is 43-4, and Bobby Groves is 48-1.
“[My favorite moment] was beating the number two ranking individual in the state. He was undefeated and I beat him 6-5. It was such a great feeling,” Bello said.
As the season progressed and some wrestlers dropped out of the team, there were less people to fill weight classes. With some weight classes not being filled the team lost a few points for those matches.
“Many start but few finish,” Coach Robert Groves said.
McClintock’s wrestling team placed 8th out of 20 teams in the Payson Individuals on Jan. 23 and 24. they also placed 6th in the section two championships, on Feb, 7.
Gator Groves won nine straight matches at 120 lbs, Marco Groves won eight straight matches at 132 lbs, and both beat the defending champions.
Bello also placed 2nd at a weight class of 152 pounds, whlie Bradie Hendrix placed 4th at a weight class of 220 pounds.
I just want to win, just want to be the greatest ,” Bobby.