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From Staff Reports

 

MACON – The Schley County Wrestling Team (SCHS) turned in a strong showing at last week’s area tournament, which was held Saturday, February 1, at the Presbyterian Day School in Macon. Ten wildcat wrestlers qualified for the GHSA Sectional Tournament, which will take place at Bremen High School in Bremen, GA on Friday and Saturday, February 7-8.

The area that Schley County competes in consists of 13 teams and only the top four wrestlers in each weight class move on to the sectional tournament. The sectional tournament consists of three areas, which means that it will be a 12-man bracket in the sectional tournament. The top six in each weight class will move on to the GHSA Class A-Public State Tournament, which is in two weeks. The state tournament will also be a 12-man bracket. GHSA female wrestlers will be placed in a 16-girl bracket per weight class.

“This is our program’s third year and I could not be prouder of where we are now,” SCHS head coach Greg Smith said. “I had 30 wrestlers on my team this year, one being a girl.”

Based on their performances in the Area Tournament, ten guys and the one girl all qualified for this year’s sectionals. Freshman Bradley Dean finished in second place in the 106-lb. weight class. Junior Aaron Pinckard finished in fourth place in the 113-lb. weight class and Riley Cooper, a freshman, finished in fourth place at the Area Tournament in the 120-lb. weight class.

Senior Landon Dailey turned in a strong showing at the Area Tournament by finishing in second place at the Area Tournament in the 132-lb. weight class. His fellow senior classmate, Corey Ingle, finished in third place in the 138-lb. weight class.

Seniors Peter Horton and Brandon Collins both finished in third place in the 145 and 195-lb. weight classes respectively, while senior Daniel Iordanov finished in fourth place in the 160-lb. weight class.

Junior Jacob Long won the individual 220-lb. weight class championship at the Area Tournament. His fellow junior classmate, Dywon Hamilton, did the same in the 285-lb. weight class.

“Jacob Long and Dywon Hamilton are both juniors and both Area Champions,” Smith said. “Jacob’s record this year is 12-1 and Dywon’s record this year is 21-2. I look forward to having both these guys back next year and look forward to seeing what they can do at the Area and State Level.”

The Wildcats’ only female wrestler is senior Tamia Kelley. Being that the first female bracket will be at the Sectional Tournament, Kelley did not wrestle at the Area Tournament, but will be a #1 seed going into this weekend’s Sectional Tournament.

“Tamia Kelley is my only girl wrestler and she is definitely my toughest wrestler on the team,” Smithy said. “Last year, she made it to the State Tournament and placed in the top 10 girls in her weight class. We are excited to see what she can accomplish this year. She has over 10 wins on the season: most against male wrestlers.”

Smith went on to say that last year, the Wildcats had two wrestlers qualify for last year’s state tournament, but neither of those wrestlers made it to the top eight.

“I challenged all of my guys to be the first person to stand on the State podium and represent Schley County with a medal around their neck,” Smith said. “We have not had one do this yet in our three-year existence.”

Smith went on to say that he is extremely pleased to be able to work in such a great school system and is blessed to have a great group of young men and lady that make up the Schley County Wrestling Program.