AAU wrestlers draw crowd

Team Indian member Thomas Diones (top) battles teammate Jimmy Cox during a 140-lb. match at Saturday's AAU wrestling event at Gaffney High School. They came from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. They ranged in age from 4 to 18.

But they had one thing in common - a strong desire to earn a gold medal at Saturday's Team Indian Youth AAU wrestling event.

Gaffney High hosted the event, which drew nearly 300 wrestlers from around the Southeast.

The turnout would have been even higher but some AAU teams opted to compete at a similar event in Charlotte.

"It wasn't quite as big as we thought, but it was still a success," said Sonny Delashment, president of the Team Indian wrestling club.

Delashment said the tournament is the club's main fundraiser.

"This gives us an opportunity to travel," he said. "The money that we make helps our program."

With youth wrestling clubs hosting events nearly every week, Team Indian hits the road a lot. Summerville is hosting a tournament this weekend.

"They have tournaments about every Saturday," he said.

Delashment said the fundraiser is important since many of his wrestlers come from families hit hard by the local economic downturn.

Delashment and his club had plenty of support on Saturday. Members of the Limestone College wrestling team served as referees and score keepers, while several Gaffney High jayvees also helped out.