Wrestling: Poquoson goes 3-0; Tabb's Williams survives Tinsley's upset bid

[Sonny Dearth]

Despite having the Bay Rivers District dual-meet championship wrested away by New Kent earlier this season, Poquoson went 3-0 in a six-team meet at Smithfield. The Islanders beat Smithfield 39-26 and Tabb 45-27, as well as routing Southampton. Tabb won 42-30 over Lafayette and finished 2-1 for the night, as did Smithfield. Grafton and Lafayette were 1-2, while Southampton was 0-3.
Perhaps the most intriguing match of the night came at 135 pounds, where three-time state champ Andrew Williams of Tabb survived a 3-2 decision against Poquoson freshman Tanner Tinsley. Williams’ takedown and an escape by each wrestler in the second period left the score at 3-1 entering the final period. Tinsley escaped to start the final period, and there were no takedowns in the rest of the match.

[Uni Kidney]

Williams is a monster, never doubt the clutch. You have to expect him to bring it extra hard this year since it is his senior year, and he has a chance at the extraordinary.

[BRDJunkie]

Williams is a monster, never doubt the clutch. You have to expect him to bring it extra hard this year since it is his senior year, and he has a chance at the extraordinary.
Anyone who doubts Andrew Williams isn't real intelligent. How many other three-time defending state champs are there in the state? None. So, my bet is also on him to make it four. That said, Tinsley wrestled a great match, and it's a case of a freshman, albeit a really fantastic freshman, getting beat by a really great senior. This match alone was worth the price of admission. Congrats to both wrestlers and good luck to both.

[wrestling fan]

I am a huge fan of Andrew Williams. Is Andrew Williams a great wrestler? Yes. Is he unbeatable. No.

Tanner Tinsley "educated" Andrew Williams on that fact last night in Smithfield. Tanner's match with Andrew went three long, hard periods. And when it was over Andrew won by only one point. Andrew went in with the thought that he would dominate Tanner and that it would be a very quick first period pin. Didn't happen, and no one was more shocked than Andrew.

When the match was over, Andrew sat in the chairs for at least 3 additional matches, totally and completely wiped out. Tanner was up and around and you could tell very excited with how the match had gone. Next match-up between the two? I would hope the finals at States. If I was a betting person, I would have to bet on Tanner to win this time.

[Lynn Burke]

You'll probably see them wrestle in the Region I finals first.

It was strange to see a match of that magnitude held on a mat in a school cafeteria!

[BRDJunkie]

I am a huge fan of Andrew Williams. Is Andrew Williams a great wrestler? Yes. Is he unbeatable. No.

Tanner Tinsley "educated" Andrew Williams on that fact last night in Smithfield. Tanner's match with Andrew went three long, hard periods. And when it was over Andrew won by only one point. Andrew went in with the thought that he would dominate Tanner and that it would be a very quick first period pin. Didn't happen, and no one was more shocked than Andrew.

When the match was over, Andrew sat in the chairs for at least 3 additional matches, totally and completely wiped out. Tanner was up and around and you could tell very excited with how the match had gone. Next match-up between the two? I would hope the finals at States. If I was a betting person, I would have to bet on Tanner to win this time.
First, I have to agree with Lynn on the fact we may see them in a regional final first. Second, depending on who cuts weight in the sectional and region, they both may not make it to the finals of either the state or region. Finally, IMHO, senior experience counts. Though I'm a Poquoson fan at heart, my mind says Williams wins any rematches, and wins the state for the fourth time. I just can't see a senior losing out to a freshman with other factors being relatively equal. Again, nothing but the best for both of these wrestlers, and thanks for the show on Thursday.