Raider Wrestlers finish as state runners-up at GISA Middle School State Tournament
Published 5:36 pm Thursday, February 6, 2020
- Southland Academy wrestler Ethan Beck (left) competes in the GISA Middle School State Tournament. Beck finished in first place in the 111-lb. Weight Class. Photo by Jennifer Beck
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From Staff Reports
AMERICUS – The Southland Academy (SA) wrestling program will continue to see bright days ahead, as the SA middle school wrestling team turned in a strong showing by finishing as the state runners-up at the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Middle School State Tournament on Saturday, February 1, at Southland Academy.
The Raiders finished in second place with 106 points behind State Champions Strong Rock Christian School (182 points). The Raiders were able to edge out Trinity Christian School-Dublin, who finished in third place with 101 points.
“All of the coaches are very proud of these guys. This group of young men have gone to various venues and done really well this year,” SA Head Coach Josh Hicks said. “These guys are very competitive and always give their all. The team has really bought in to what we are teaching and the results are starting to show the fruits of the labor. Thank you to all of the amazing support the parents have shown and all of the coaches that helped with the team this year.”
Southland Academy wrestler Peyton Gilbert finished in second place in the 79-lb. Weight Class at the GISA Middle School State Wrestling Tournament.
Photo by Melissa Griffin
In addition to Coach Hicks, assistants J.R. Jones and Caulden Smith also coach the Raiders.
In the 79-lb. Weight Class, SA’s Peyton Gilbert finished in second place behind Andrew Reid of Strong Rock Christian. In the 94-lb. Weight Class, Kinney Kennebrew also turned in a strong showing, as he finished in second place behind Hayden Pointer of the Westfield School.
Southland Academy wrestler Kinney Kennebrew finished in second place in the 94-lb. Weight Class at the GISA Middle School State Wrestling Tournament.
Photo by Stephanie Kennebrew
In the 105-lb. Weight Class, Allen Styck turned in a solid showing for the Raiders by finishing in fourth place and Ethan Beck was able to win the 111-lb. Weight Class for SA.
This is the 2019-2020 Southland Academy Middle School Wrestling Team after they finished in second place overall at the GISA Middle School Wrestling Tournament. Front Row: L-R Lane Horne, Zach Cook, Brooks Potter, Ethan Beck, and Peyton Sellers.
Middle Row: L-R Peyton Gilbert, Allen Styck, Cade Futch, and Daniel Saye
Top Row: L-R Evan Fender, Kinney Kinnebrew, and Jack Saye.
Photo by Kim Gilbert
In the 189-lb. Weight Class, Cade Futch took fourth place for the Raiders, while Jack Saye finished as the runner-up for SA in the 265-lb. Weight Class.
The SA Middle School Wrestling Team has a tradition of wearing this kind of sock during meets and tournaments.
Submitted Photo
Due to bad weather, the GISA High School Wrestling State Tournament, which was suppose to be held on Thursday and Friday, February 6-7 at the GSW Storm Dome, will be postponed until Monday and Tuesday, February 10-11.
