The Ware County Gator wrestling team made the trip to Lyons on Friday and Saturday to compete in the always-competitive Toombs County Sweet Onion Invitational, squaring off against a deep field of programs from across South Georgia and beyond. Over two long days on the mats, the Gators showed toughness, depth, and plenty of highlight performances on both the boys and girls sides.
Leading the way for the Ware County boys were a pair of champions. At 144 pounds, Jaden McKelvin put together a dominant run to claim first place, scoring 30.5 team points. McKelvin opened the tournament with a technical fall and followed it up with a decision before rolling through the championship bracket with three straight tech falls and a lightning-quick pin in the finals, ending his title match in just 38 seconds.
At 165 pounds, Gunter Fore was equally impressive, capturing first place and leading all Gators with 33.5 team points. Fore recorded a technical fall in his opener and pinned every opponent thereafter, including a decisive fall in the championship bout to secure the title.
Ware County also picked up multiple podium finishes. Aaron Bennett turned in a strong performance at 150 pounds, battling his way to a third-place finish and scoring 24 team points with four pins on the weekend. At 120 pounds, Leve Moore made a deep consolation run, earning a fourth-place finish after rattling off several wins by fall and technical fall. Damarion Zanders added a fifth-place finish at 132 pounds, highlighted by multiple early-round pins and a victory in the fifth-place match.
Additional points came from wrestlers who fought through tough brackets. Cristian Martinez, Ashton Cox, Maleek Mackey, Collin Deal, and Kyler Matthews each contributed team points, with Matthews stringing together multiple consolation-round wins at heavyweight. While several Gators were eliminated early in challenging weight classes, the team continued to compete aggressively throughout the tournament.
The Lady Gators also made their presence felt. Hannah Miller delivered a standout performance at 170 pounds, going unbeaten to win first place and score 20 team points. Miller controlled the bracket with a forfeit victory followed by back-to-back pins in just over a minute each. Audrina Streeter placed third at 110B, while Natalie Scheuing also earned a third-place finish at 115B. Emmelee Haddock finished fourth at 125B, and Taylor Curnkelton added a fourth-place showing at 190B.
Overall, the Sweet Onion Invitational provided valuable mat time against quality competition and showcased the Gators’ grit and depth. With multiple champions, several podium finishes, and hard-fought matches across the board, Ware County continues to build momentum as the season moves forward.