DULUTH, Ga. -LaFayette came into the GHSA Traditional Wrestling Championships with no chance to win a team title, but that didn’t stop the Ramblers from making some noise on day two at the Gwinnett Center.
Two LaFayette wrestlers will compete in today’s finals-one whom most expected to be there and one few outside of the Ramblers program and fans gave much of a shot. Two-time champion Preston McCalmon wrestled a technically strong match to defeat Eastside’s Kevin Thompson 8-0, displaying the confidence and knowledge that comes from reaching the finals four consecutive seasons.
The surprise of the day, though, was LaFayette 145-pounder Dalton Smith, who was not seeded among the top four in his class. The senior, who failed to place in his first varsity action last year here, upset top-seeded Rodney Henson of Henry County, 6-1. Afterward, he could barely contain his emotions.
“I’ve worked my whole life and it finally paid off,” he said. “Nothing feels better. There were lots of hard work in practice and drilling hours. I’ve got to focus and not be satisfied and go after what I’ve worked so hard for. I can’t let anybody take it away.”
Coach Lee Dendy praised Smith’s effort and work ethic.