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From Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – For at least the third straight year, the Southland Academy varsity wrestling team (SA) finished as state runners-up at the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Class AAA State Wrestling Tournament held Monday and Tuesday, February 10-11, in the Storm Dome on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University.

As a team, the Raiders finished with a total of 160.5 points, 79 points behind Bulloch Academy, who won the state championship. They were able to edge out Westfield for second place by 13 points, as the Hornets finished in third with 147.5 points.

Headlining the Raiders’ success was freshman Tanner Humphrey. Humphrey finished the tournament as the individual state champion in the 120-lb. Weight Class. Humphrey finished ahead of state runner-up Antonio Del Vecchio of Valwood and third-place finisher Connor Smith of John Milledge Academy.

In the 132-lb. Weight Class, freshman Keaton Griffin very nearly won the individual championship, but finished in second place behind state champion Trent Coots of Piedmont Academy. Griffin’s brother, sophomore Landon Griffin, finished as the state runner-up in the 138-lb. Weight Class behind state champion Latrell Schafer of Westfield.

Freshman Will Rhodes turned in a strong showing at the state tournament, as he finished in fifth place in the 145-lb. Weight Class.

In the 152-lb. Weight Class, junior Colman Fort finished in third place and James Griffin finished fourth in the 160-lb. Weight Class

Seniors Tyler Joyner and Riley Parker finished their SA wrestling careers in strong fashion. Joyner won third place in the 182-lb. Weight Class and Parker turned in a sixth-place finish in the 170-lb. Weight Class.

Sophomores Kolden Kinney and John Saye each finished in third place in the 195 and 220-lb. Weight Classes respectively to round out the Raiders’ success.