Big day for NaFo wrestling coach on, off mat

Saturday was one of those days that Nation Ford head wrestling coach Leon Boulware won’t forget anytime soon.

Not only did his team win the tournament it hosted – the second annual Falcons Invitational – but he also became a father for the fourth time.

Boulware started his day at the tournament, but was informed his wife was going into labor. He was able to make it to the hospital to witness the birth of his daughter and then back to Nation Ford High in time to see his team beat White Knoll 41-27 to claim the dual tournament title.

“It was a great team effort,” Boulware said.

“We bounced back after a tough loss to Rock Hill earlier in the week. We showed a lot of effort and fight.”

Needing to win against White Knoll to win the tournament, Nation Ford was able to come back after an early deficit. The Falcons dropped the first two matches and got their first win at 195 pounds from senior Tay Sauls, who took a 13-5 decision . Junior Greg Izzo then won 8-7 at 220 pounds to close the scoring gap to 11-7 after four weight classes.

Forfeit wins to freshman Dylan Tindall (106) and junior Jeremy Kishbaugh (113) put Nation Ford on top 19-17, but White Knoll regained the lead after the 120-pound bout. The Falcons then went ahead for the final time at 126 pounds with a first period pin from junior TJ Giarratana. Sophomore Christian Trimble won 11-1 at 132 pounds and senior Dalen Byerley capped off a 4-0 day with a first period pin at 138 pounds.

Byerley is now 10-0 after missing the first month of the season due to shoulder surgery.

Junior Dylan Curtsinger secured the win for Nation Ford with a 15-1 decision that pished the score to 39-23. Freshman Wesley Johnson added another win to close out the scoring for Nation Ford at 152 pounds.

Nation Ford opened the tournament blanking Lancaster 81-0 and then beat South Meck 66-15 before the break.

Winning for the Falcons against Lancaster by pin fall or decision were Curtsinger (145), Johnson (152), JJ Salazar (160), Jake Gravely (170), Tindall (106), Kishbaugh (113), Joshua Paxtor (120) and Giarratana (126).

Winning for Nation Ford against South Meck by pin fall or decision was Johnson (152), Gravely (170), Tindall (106), Kishbaugh (113), Paxtor (120), Giarratana (126), Trimble (132) and Byerley (138).

After the break, Nation Ford had no trouble against Ardrey Kell winning 84-0 with every decision for the Falcons coming by either pin fall or forfeit. Wrestlers getting pins for Nation Ford were Salazar (160), John Abraham (170), Tindall (106), Kishbaugh (113), Paxtor (120), Giarratana (126), Trimble (132) and Curtsinger (145).

Up next for Nation Ford this week is a Region III match against Northwestern on the road and then a trip to the Military Duals in Chapin.

This story was originally published January 10, 2016 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Big day for NaFo wrestling coach on, off mat."