In its 41st year, the G.P. West Invitational wrestling tournament took place at Brentwood High School on January 15 and 16.  There were some milestone moments for Brentwood and Ravenwood High Schools. 

BHS senior Cameron Croy (215) won his 100th match and became the first four-time winner of the G.P. West Invitational.  Croy, who has committed to Harvard University and is an ASICS All American, strongly defeated his opponent from Blackman 19-3.
 

Two other BHS wrestlers, Blake Thomas (112) and Matt Bridges (HWT), won their championship matches and junior, Ben Smith (119), placed third.
 

After being plagued with injuries the last three years, Thomas, also an ASICS All American, fought for and won his first-place finish.  Coming back from being down 5-3, Thomas pinned his Red Bank opponent in the second period.
 

“I’ve had to fight like hell, but fighting has made me who I am,” said Thomas after his championship match.
 

Ravenwood High School had seven placers including Brian Keiffer (135) and Donovan Freeman (152) who were both runner-ups.  Other RHS placers were Jack Finnegan (103) fourth, Bradley Butters (125) fourth, Ryan Churchill (130) fourth, Harrison Hawthorne (215) third, Jonathan Mabry (160) sixth.
 

"I am ecstatic on how well they did," RHS head wrestling coach Josh Peck said about his young team.  "It is the highest place finish Ravenwood has had at the Brentwood tournament." 
 

G.P. West, a long-time wrestling coach and founder of the tournament, was on hand to catch the action.  West coached at four local schools, Maplewood, Hillwood, Whites Creek and Brentwood High Schools.   He coached at BHS from 1987 to 1999.
 

West said he was looking forward to Cameron, Blake and Matt’s matches.  West was also touched by the dedication of the tournament to Dan Sheehan who passed away in December.
 

Sheehan was an involved wrestling parent in the '90s when his three sons wrestle at BHS.  Sheehan’s eldest son, Dan, was Brentwood's first state champion. Two more Sheehan brothers, Joey and Scott, also placed in state tournaments and served as team captains for BHS. 
 

“Dan and his wife, Lynn, were totally involved parents,” said West.  “They were really dedicated and were such a good family.  They are part of BHS history that we all remember fondly.”
 

Click here for a related story about GP West Invitational sponsors.