CALHOUN, Ga. - Ringgold batted a thousand this weekend at the GHSA Class AAA B Sectional wrestling tournament, qualifying each of its nine competitors into next week's state traditional tournament in Duluth.
David Moss's Tigers had champions in Griffin Green at 145 pounds and Jesse Wade at 220, a runner-up in Enrique Maravilla at heavyweight and three freshmen who finished in third place: Tanner Stone at 106, Will Broom at 126 and Holden Moss at 132.
"It was a great weekend for us," said Moss, whose team had the most qualifiers among the 32 teams entered. "The guys wrestled awesome. Griffin Green pinned through the sectionals and Jesse Wade beat a kid at 220 he had not been able to beat before.
"My heavyweight wrestled a one-point match in the finals, and freshman Tanner Stone finished third after beating the kid that beat him earlier. Our other two freshmen, Will Broom and Holden Moss, got third and had great showings as well. We took nine and qualified all nine of them."
Joey Collins (138 pounds), Clipper Smith (182) and Ethan Rohrer (113) also qualified for the state.
Coahulla Creek did not have any champions, but first-year coach Brent Raby's team qualified eight wrestlers for the state event, including third-place finishers Levi Kinsey at 120 and Kenton Baggett at 152. A poor second-round showing Friday night cost the Colts, according to Raby.
"We were hoping to get all 10 in - and we got some tough draws - but it is what it is," Raby said. "We did not wrestle well Friday night, but I'm happy to get eight through. We lost some tough matches in the second round, including two one-point matches and two three-pointers. Still, we will be better for this and all our qualifiers will be back with us next year."
Sonoraville qualfied six and led the area with three individual champions in Trevor Burdick at 106, Tyler Hunt at 113 and Georgia Tech football recruit Kenny Cooper at heavyweight. Calhoun also qualified six, including runners-up Aaron Aguiire at 120 and Christian East at 160, while Murray County will take three, including 126-pound champion Marcelino Lopez.
Gilmer taking 12
At the Class AAAA B Sectional at Ellijay, the host Gilmer Bobcats had another stellar day, qualifying each of their 12 wrestlers. Coach Joshua Snider's team had champions in Alberto Perez (120), Lucas Patterson (132), Keegan Sharpe (145) and Matthew Waddell (182).
Heritage will take nine to Duluth, including 126-pound champion Chuckie Thurman, while Northwest Whitfield qualified five, led by 195-pound champion Jordan Lewis.
Ridgeland will take four, led by 220-pound champ Chris Henderson, Southeast Whitfield also qualified four and LaFayette will take 160-pound champion Cole Ingram.
Trion advances 11
At the Class A sectional at Mount Zion, Trion had an impressive day, qualifying 11 wrestlers. Leading the way in the tough field was Cole Luallen, the titlist at 132 pounds. Scott Frazier, Jake Wells and Logan Blevins finished second. Prohibitive state favorite Commerce had 10 individual champions.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22