MACON, Ga. — Gordon Lee came into this weekend’s Georgia high school wrestling state duals tournament with hopes of finally exorcising the demons that have plagued the program in recent seasons in Macon.
Though the Trojans shook off some of them, one major one remains.
Region 6 rival Bremen defeated the Trojans 44-27 Saturday in the Class A championship match, the second time in a week the Blue Devils prevailed. This time it was a surprising run late in the match that proved to be the difference.
A controversial pin at 160 pounds in the match that started at 215 was followed by a major decision, and what was once a promising match for the Trojans turned sour. Austin Goodlet was the victim at 160, but coaches and onlookers believed the pin was called too quickly, that his shoulder was well off the mat.
“That was tough, and I’m not one to criticize officials, but several people thought it was a quick pin,” Gordon Lee coach Steve McDaniel said. “Hey, Bremen is solid and the places we beat them were where they were the least solid. We didn’t win very many of the toss-up matches.”
Gordon Lee trailed by just a point after Taylor Pace’s poin at 140, but Bremen’s Zac Bell earned an overtime decison at 145 preceding Josh Elliott’s decision for Gordon Lee at 152 to set up the huge bout at 160.
“It was tough, but I think the younger guys especially can learn from this,” senior Pace said. “We have to go back and work hard and get ready for the traditionals.”
n In a rematch of last year’s Class AAA championship final, LaFayette downed Eastside to claim the third-place trophy Saturday, 36-24. The Ramblers, after falling to West Forsyth in Friday’s semifinal round, defeated Woodward Academy 57-18 in Saturday’s consolation semifinals to earn the right to face Eastside.
Heritage, after winning two consolation matches in Class AAA, lost 33-31 to Woodward in the consolation quarterfinals Saturday. The Generals defeated Perry 62-15 late Friday in the consolation first round, then downed Columbus 50-15 in the second round.