The Republic wrestling program earned second place overall at the Republic Invitational Saturday, its highest finish at its home tournament in seven years. The Tigers earned 207.5 team points to finish as runners-up to champion Bentonville West (252.5 points). Logan-Rogersville was third in the 12-team field with 150.5 points.
Republic had three champions: Phillip George (113), Chase Hicks (145), and Connor Sandridge (170). Shea Rogers (120) and Elijah Hathcock (220) finished second.
The second-place team finish matches the highest ever for Republic since the tournament was first held in 2010. The Tigers finished second three years in a row, from 2011-2013, then again in 2015. The Tigers hadn’t finished higher than fourth since then.
Five Seniors Recognized
The team honored three senior wrestlers and two senior managers during the tournament. Coach Eric Nolan said Issac Collyott, Elijah Hathcock, Isaac Gyles, and managers Addie Biers and Caydie Imbeau have helped his transition into the program as a first-year head coach.
“They’ve been here from day one. They’ve been very helpful…with the transition and in setting the tone in our room by showing up every day,” Nolan said. “A couple of them have been great about coming in and working with our youth club wrestlers.
“Our managers are extremely dependable and really on top of stuff, which is helpful when you’re running a program and you have girls who know how things are supposed to work. We’ll miss them and really appreciate their hard work.”
