ELLIJAY, Ga. - The start to the GHSA traditional wrestling postseason went well for a handful of Chattanooga-area prep programs.
Gilmer and Trion won area tournaments in Class AAAA and A, respectively, but the goal Saturday was to advance as many wrestlers as possible into next weekend's sectional round. In that regard, Northwest Whitfield and Ridgeland in AAAA, Sonoraville in AAA and surprising Dalton in AAAAAA each reached the magical double-digit totals.
Gilmer, the defending state traditional champion and recent duals runner-up, will take 12 of its 14 wrestlers to the sectional round after scoring 204 1/2 points Saturday. Among the dozen are area champions Dan Puac (106), Domingo Reynoso (113), Jake Breedlove (160), Matthew Waddell (182) and heavyweight Levi Seabolt. The Bobcats also had four runners-up.
"I sometimes forget how tough our kids are until I look at how talented this area is," Gilmer coach Sam Snider said. "Looking ahead to the state tournament (in two weeks), Jefferson and us will likely fight out of first and Northwest, Heritage and Ridgeland will all be in the top eight. They are that good."
Northwest finished second with 174 points and will take 11 to the sectionals, including champions Coty Carlock (145), Dylan Pittman (152) and Jordan Lewis (195)
"I feel we are a lot better traditional team than we are a dual team," Northwest coach Allen Tucker said. "It is nice to take 11 next week. Our three champions are peaking at the right time. They just went out and didn't make mistakes and took care of business."
Ridgeland, which finished third with 145 1/2 points, also will take 11 to the sectionals, the most in program history. Leading the way are area champions Jacob Mariakis at 138 and 220-pound Chris Henderson, the defending state champion.
"The kids continue to wrestle really well, so we're very proud of them," Ridgeland coach Keith Mariakis said. "It goes back to the area duals. The kids just have sold out for the program and are definitely making their mark this year. Hard work pays off, and they are seeing the fruits of their labor."
Heritage finished fourth with 130 1/2 points and had individual champions in Daniel Jernagin at 132 and two-time defending state champion Chuckie Thurman at 126. Thurman had a 48-33 championship win over Gilmer's Javier Jacinto and in doing so completed a tournament in which he amassed 38 takedowns, a state record, and now has 504 for the season.
- Dalton finished a close second to host Allatoona in the 6-AAAAAA tournament, 199-187. In doing so the Catamounts advanced nine wrestlers to the sectional round and achieved individual champions in Matthew Tankersley at 113, Sergio Alvarez at 132 and Joseph Reese at 182.
- At the 3-AAA tournament, host Bremen, the recent duals champion, won the area title with 263 points, followed by Sonoraville at 184 1/2, Coahulla Creek at 149 1/2 and Ringgold at 142.
Sonoraville, coming off a third-place duals finish, had individual champions in Gavin Thompson (113) and defending state champions Tyler Hunt (120) and Trevor Burdick (126). The Phoenix will take 10 wrestlers to the sectional round.
Coahulla Creek, under second-year coach Brent Raby, had individual champs in Kenton Baggett (195) and Daniel Lopez (220) and will advance six to this week. Ringgold will also take six, including champions Griffin Green (145) and heavyweight Enrique Maravilla.
- At the 3-AA tournament at Armuchee, Pepperell was the champion by a half-point over Armuchee. Chattooga finished third with 203 1/2, led by champions Griffin Jarrett (106), Austin Jones (195) and Alex Mears (220), and advances nine to the sectionals.
- At the 3-A tournament at Mount Zion, Trion was the runaway champion with 220 points and took home four individual champions in Jamey Floyd (120), Cole Luallen (138), Jake Wells (182) and Logan Blevins (195). The Bulldogs, coming off a third-place duals finish, will take 12 wrestlers to the sectionals.
Runner-up Gordon Lee advances seven, including a trio of area champions in Hunter Burnette (106), Jarrett Lassetter (160) and Braden Jarvis (170).
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296.