The Haughton wrestling tournament on November 22, 2023, saw a strong showing from the Evangel Christian wrestling team, highlighted by impressive performances from Jeremia Yearby and Joseph Gilbreath, who both secured first place in their respective weight classes.
In the 138-pound category, Yearby dominated throughout the competition. He began with a victory over Jakob-Paul Dupont from Rayne, winning by fall in 2:28 minutes. His momentum continued in the quarterfinals, where he defeated Aayden Jorden of Sylvan Hills in just 1:22. The semifinals showcased Yearby’s skill as he triumphed over Will Haun from Haughton, again winning by fall within 1:36. In the championship match, Yearby faced Hunner Glaze from Rosepine, ultimately winning via a technical fall with a score of 20-4 in 3:44 minutes.
Gilbreath also shone brightly in the 165-pound division. His path to victory included a decisive win against Gavin McDowell from Arkansas High, which he finished in just over a minute (1:02). He continued to excel, defeating Jonathan Gomez of El Dorado High in 1:45 and Zayden Normandin from Parkway in 3:22. In the final match, Gilbreath secured his championship title by overcoming Keagan Prejean of Rayne in a swift 0:38.
The tournament was a challenging event for many participants. In the 120-pound category, Jacob Allen managed to secure a fifth-place finish after a series of intense matches. He began with a win against Evan Stansbury from South Beauregard before facing tough opponents including Logan Henry from Rayne and Jake McDaniel of Byrd. Ultimately, Allen’s resilience shone through as he clinched fifth place with a fall victory over Jude Flint from Parkway in just 1:07.
The team’s overall performance placed Evangel Christian in sixth position in the tournament standings, accumulating a total of 88.5 points. The rankings were led by Rayne with 211.5 points, followed by Benton and Rosepine with 148.5 and 145 points, respectively.
In the 144-pound category, John Chiasson faced a tough outing, ending his tournament early with no placements. Similarly, several other competitors from Evangel struggled to secure wins but showed commendable effort.
The Haughton wrestling tournament served as an important platform for Evangel Christian wrestlers to showcase their skills against a range of competitors, highlighting both individual achievements and team dynamics. The results not only reflect the dedication of the athletes but also set the stage for future competitions as they strive for further successes in the season ahead.
