Walking the halls

Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Gerald Mouton (center) prepares for his drive to Austin with friends Gabbie VanHook (left) and Christian Diaz (right) at West Brook High School in Beaumont on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Gerald Mouton, a West Brook High School senior, is one of very few area wrestlers and is the only one going to the state championship this week. Despite the challenges he faced throughout his life, he remains undefeated at 34-0.

Texas State Wrestling Championships - finals

Today is the final day of the Texas State Wrestling Championships in Austin. I'll post some images today as I get time, but it's likely to be very hectic. Chris Dabe will be blogging live again today.

See previous slideshows:
Gerald Moulton prepares for state
Gerald Moulton at Texas State Wrestling Championships
*New* Today's slideshow
Texas State Wrestling Championship finals

Read previous stories by Chris Dabe:
Undefeated West Brook wrestler rises above tragedy
Moulton's roller-coaster day

Moulton won his first match by pin in 1:45. He lost his second match and was knocked out of the gold and silver. He moved into the consolation bracket with a chance at the bronze. However, he must win all four remaining matches.

Friday evening, he won his first consolation bracket match by pin in 0:30. If he loses this morning, he's out. If he wins, he moves into the afternoon session. If he wins the afternoon session, he moves into the night competition for the bronze medal.

Enough for now,

One down - one left

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Gerald Moulton (from left to right) as well as coaches Greg Diaz and Phil Hemmings watch as the opponent who defeated Moulton Friday loses a Texas State Wresting Championship semifinal match at the Delco Activity Center in Austin on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008. Moulton is still in the running for 3rd place.


Marcus McGraw of Arlington Bowie (bottom) gets pinned in triple-overtime by David Ortega of Katy Taylor (top) during a Texas State Wresting Championship semifinal match at the Delco Activity Center. This drops McGraw into the consolation bracket, and Moulton could wrestle him in the third-place match.


Gerald Moulton wrestles Matt Parker of Paschal during a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation match at the Delco Activity Center.


Gerald Moulton wrestles Matt Parker of Paschal during a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation match at the Delco Activity Center. Moulton won the match and advances.


Nancy (left) and Lupe Flores (right) talk with Gerald Moulton after one of his wins in a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation match at the Delco Activity Center. Moulton is still in the running for 3rd place, but must defeat one more opponent to take the bronze.


Club coach Greg Diaz (from left to right), Lupe Flores and Gerald Moulton leave for lunch after a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation match win at the Delco Activity Center in Austin on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008. Moulton is still in the running for 3rd place, but must defeat one more opponent to take the bronze.

Moulton wins first consolation match

Photo by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Gerald Moulton (top) wrestles with Zach Gagnon of McKinney North (bottom) during a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation bracket match at the Delco Activity Center in Austin on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008.


Gerald Moulton (right) wrestles with Zach Gagnon of McKinney North (left) during a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation bracket match at the Delco Activity Center.


Gerald Moulton (right) takes down Zach Gagnon of McKinney North (left) during a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation bracket match.


Gerald Moulton (top) pins Zach Gagnon of McKinney North (bottom) during a Texas State Wresting Championship colsolation bracket match. Moulton won the match by pin at 2:34 and advances.


Gerald Moulton (right) talks with club wrestling coach Greg Diaz (left) after winning his morning consolation bracket match during a Texas State Wresting Championships. Moulton is still in the running for 3rd place, but must defeat two more opponents to take the bronze.

Texas State Wrestling Champs - Day One

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Gerald Moulton arrives for weigh-in before the Texas State Wresting Championship at the LBJ High School in Austin on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008.


Gerald Moulton waits alone for weigh-in before the Texas State Wresting Championship at the LBJ High School in Austin.


Wrestling coach Phil Hemmings (left) talks with Gerald Moulton (right) before weigh-in for the Texas State Wresting Championship at the LBJ High School.


Gerald Moulton (right) finishes off a burger with wrestling coach Phil Hemmings (left) at a Sonic restaurant following weigh-in in Austin. The West Brook High School senior faces his first day of competition in the state wresting championships.


Gerald Moulton (center) is surrounded by family members including (from left to right) Nancy Flores, Lupe Flores and Andy Flores during the Texas State Wresting Championship at the Delco Activity Center.


Gerald Moulton (top, center) has a laugh with his house mother Nancy Flores (left) as his house father Lupe Flores (right) checks text messages before Moulton's first match in the Texas State Wresting Championship at the Delco Activity Center.


Gerald Moulton (left) enters the mat area at the Delco Activity Center in Austin for his first match in the Texas State Wresting Championship.


Gerald Moulton (top) shakes hands with Jimmy Allen of Canyon Randall before his first match in the Texas State Wresting Championship at the Delco Activity Center. Moulton won the match with a pin at 1:45.


Gerald Moulton (top) works Jimmy Allen of Canyon Randall into position during his first match in the Texas State Wresting Championship at the Delco Activity Center. Moulton won the match with a pin in 1:45.
 

The Pretzel Hold

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Martin's Parker Ryan (left) tries to dislodge Colleyville Heritage's Corey Howard (right) from his back during the Region II 112-pound wrestling championship at South Grand Prairie High School on Saturday, February 8, 2003. Ryan won the match.

Every time I see this image, it takes me a moment to mentally untangle which limbs belong to whom. I like the pained expression on the nearest wrestler's face. Competitive wrestling makes for great facial expressions and strange body positions.

Applying pressure

Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News

Matt Sansone of Arlington Martin puts pressure on Trinity's Roger Miller during the Region II 135-pound wrestling championship at South Grand Prairie High School on Saturday, February 8, 2003.

Wrestling brothers

Argyle High School brothers Jeff (left) and Josh (right) Martz pose for a portrait at the school on Wednesday, February 5, 2003. They will both go to the regional wrestling championships. Josh, a junior, wrestles at 130 pounds and has made it to state before. Jeff, a freshman, competes in the 135-pound weight class.
 


Mark M. Hancock / © The Dallas Morning News
Believe it or not, this is shot in a well-lit gym. It's shot at f/22 at 1/500th second, so the available light isn't even on the radar. However, it's really hard to frame shots for something you can't see (the reflection).