Gilmer, West Hall take top spots in 4-AAA tourney

GAINESVILLE - There was little surprise in the final outcome of the Area 4-AAA wrestling tournament after Saturday's finals at the Gainesville gym.

Gilmer, the defending area and state champion, ran away with the team title with West Hall, Apalachee and Gainesville completing the top four in the team standings.

The four teams were considered the front-runners coming into the 15-team field.

Gilmer had 10 wrestlers qualify for next week's Class AAA Traditional Tournament, which will be held at the Gwinnett Arena.

West Hall and Gainesville each had seven wrestlers.

For Gilmer, Dale Becker (112-pounds) and David Riddle (215) both won titles.

Colby Yates (119) and Trent Corey (152) won titles for West Hall.

For Gainesville, Chuck Leggett (125), Travis Hendrix (130) and Corey Sullivan (189) all won area championships.

Gainesville coach C.T. Hussion said the tournament as a whole went almost according to seedings.

"The top four teams finished almost like I thought and there were only a couple of upsets in the individual classes as far as champions," Hussion said. "It was an exciting tournament and I think Area 4-AAA will do very well in the (Traditional) state tournament."

Gilmer is the two-time defending state champion. But Columbus won the Class AAA Duals Championship two weeks ago and is considered a top contender for the Traditional championship.

Apalachee's Randy Rutledge won the 140-pound class. His teammates Ronnie Mosby (135) and Jarrett Boswell (160) also won region titles.

Beau Eason at 171 took home the only title for Flowery Branch.

North Hall's Pat McGeorge won the 145-pound class.

Fannin County, which finished fifth in the team standings, had one champion in Seth Robinson at 103.

Oconee County's Nagee Handy won the 275-pound title.

Team standings: 1. Gilmer; 2. West Hall; 3. Apalachee; 4. Gainesville; 5. Fannin County.

Individual winners:

103: Seth Robinson, Fannin County
112: Dale Becker, Gilmer
119: Colby Yates, West Hall
125: Chuck Leggett, Gainesville
130: Travis Hendrix, Gainesville
135: Ronnie Mosby, Gilmer
140: Randy Rutledge, Apalachee
145: Pat McGeorge, North Hall
152: Trent Corey, West Hall
160: Jarrett Boswell, Apalachee
171: Beau Eason, Flowery Branch
189: Corey Sullivan, Gainesville
215: David Riddle, Gilmer
275: Nagee Handy, Oconee County