Hickey and Buda-Smith take titles at Mascoutah!

The FZN wrestling team recently competed in the 49th annual Mascoutah, IL tournament where two individual grapplers walked away with titles. Teddy Hickey (12 - 132 lbs.) and Derrick Buda-Smith (11 - 152 lbs.) each won their respective weight classes. Hickey defeated previously undefeated Tim Walsh of Jacksonville, IL by a score of 12 - 0 in the finals. Buda-Smith defeated highly regarded Aron Taylor of Carbondale, IL by a narrow 4 - 2 margin. Both Hickey and Buda-Smtih advanced to the state tournament for the Panthers a season ago. Other Panther wrestlers finishing in the top eight at Mascoutah include: Logan Prinster (2nd at 138 lbs.), Brady O'Neal (6th at 145 lbs.) and Blake Ward (7th at 220 lbs.) As a team the Panthers finished 7th at the 29 team event.

The Panthers have notched dual meet victories this season over Fort Zumwalt West, Fort Zumwalt East, Hazelwood Central, and Hazelwood West. Earlier this season the Panthers hosted their own 18 team invitational where they finished in 4th place.

This Friday (12/21) the Panthers will host a 4 team event that includes: Troy, Francis Howell North, and Jackson. Following Christmas the Panthers will travel to Desmet to compete in "The Spartan" Invitational slated for December 28th.