MACON, Ga. - First-year Sonoraville High School wrestling coach Randy Steward boldly predicted this year that coming seasons could be special for the Phoenix.
Steward and the rest of the Class AAA field in the GHSA traditional championships got a glimpse of that Saturday at the Macon Centreplex.
Sonoraville, which brought just seven wrestlers to the state tournament, finished second to Bremen for the team title and took home three individual championships. Those were earned by sophomores Tyler Hunt (120 pounds) and Trevor Burdick (126), already two-time state title-winners, and the team's lone senior, Ian Clark (132).
"Our focus wasn't just on getting to the finals, it was on winning them, and the kids did such a great job," said Steward, whose team finished with 105 points to 132.5 for Bremen. "Tyler has been sick for a week and Trevor was sick the first round. They just fought through it and wouldn't be denied. And Ian Clark, to me, was the story of the tournament."
Clark, just fourth in the area tournament two weeks ago, went out in style with a 6-5 decision. It was his 100th career win, coming right after Hunt and Burdick won titles and a day after a 3-2 semifinal win. Clark came into the tournament with a season record of 24-11, so the title run was one of the surprises of the event.
"I've been coaching for 31 years, and that was one of the most special wins I've witnessed," Steward said. "That's a kid who finished fourth in the area two weeks ago. Everybody was crying and hugging after he won it. What a great story."
Clark and East Hall's James Stoudenmire were tied 4-4 with a minute to go when Clark got a takedown. Stoudenmire managed an escape to cut the lead to one, but Clark avoided further trouble for the win.
"It just means everything to go out like this," Clark said. "I've worked so hard for this. I have never placed in the state before and had never won a tournament before this year. I cut weight before the area and it about killed me. I got it under control before sectionals and won it, and I knew I could do it this weekend."
As for the future, Steward's optimism isn't just coach-speak. The opportunity to bring home first-place team hardware is felt throughout the roster.
"Bremen is obviously our toughest competitor, but they graduate eight seniors this year, so next year should be our year," Hunt said. "We just have to put in more work than they do and take control. It's all about work."
Even the Phoenix wrestler who is leaving the program sees big things ahead.
"These guys can definitely win state next year," Clark said. "They are a hard-working group and they will do everything it takes to win it."
Sonoraville was one of three northwest Georgia teams to finish as runners-up. Gilmer was second to Jefferson in AAAA, 166.5-142.5, while Trion was a distant second to Commerce in Class A, 238.5-98.
Area 6-AAAA held up its reputation as one of the state's best leagues by placing four teams in the top eight. Heritage - led by third-time state champ Chuckie Thurman (126), third-place finishers Ryan Craft (106) and Jeffery Curtis (220), and fourth-place finishers Blake Bryan and Daniel Jernagin - rose to fourth with 111.5 points.
Northwest Whitfield, paced by state champion Jordan Lewis (195), was sixth with 91 points. Ridgeland had a pair of individual champions - Chris Henderson (220), who repeated, and Jacob Mariakis (138) - to finish eighth with 74.5 points.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.