Wrestling: Depth propels Lumpkin County to 7-AAA traditional title

DAHLONEGA -- The depth of Lumpkin County proved a little too much for the rest of Area 7-AAA Saturday at the Area Traditional Tournament at Lumpkin County High School.<br /> <br /> The Indians placed 11 of 14 wrestlers into next week's Class AAA North Sectionals. They used a strong wrestle-back portion to overtake Banks County and then pulled away in the finals to win the team title, 199 to 163.5<br /> <br /> Lumpkin County had area champions at 113, 145, 152, 182, 220, and 285 -- four by pin.<br /> <br /> Banks County, Dawson County, and East Hall each placed nine in the Sectionals but managed just six area champs combined as a group.<br /> <br /> Lumpkin County coach Brian Matthews called it a solid day after finishing second in the Area Duals three weeks ago. They finished third in the state Duals.<br /> <br /> "To come back and win this after feeling we had a chance to win the Duals is fantastic," Matthews said. "The kids wrestled great. The wrestlebacks and the consolation really helped us and getting four pins is always big."<br /> <br /> The Indians will go into the Sectionals as a team able to contend for a Class AAA state title. But Matthews said everyone will have to go through Jefferson.<br /> <br /> "(Jefferson) is the top dog, no doubt," Matthews said. "But anyone is beatable. We feel the traditionals are stronger for us so we'll go to Sectionals and see how we do."<br /> <br /> East Hall finished third with 122 points, a better-than-expected outcome for a team with just one senior and two juniors in the lineup. The Vikings edged out Dawson County (121) and West Hall (111).<br /> <br /> "We're a young team. We lost eight starters from last year but we have been getting a little better each week," East Hall coach Ken Stoudenmire said. "We got nine guys through to the Sectionals, which I feel is tremendous. It was a real good day for us."<br /> <br /> East Hall freshman James Stoudenmire got things going quickly in the finals with a pin over Devin Mullinax of Banks County at 106 for an Area title in his first Area meet.<br /> <br /> "I always go in looking for a pin but to get one in the finals was cool," James Stoudenmire said. "I was just real excited afterwards. It hasn't hit me yet."<br /> <br /> Another Viking, junior Will Davidson, locked horns with two-time state champion and undefeated Chris McCrakin of Banks County for the 126 title in perhaps the best matchup of the day.<br /> <br /> Davidson had the early lead with a takedown in the first period but was not able to hang on as McCrackin rallied with three points in the third period for a 5-2 win.<br /> <br /> Davidson gave McCrackin a point letting him start up in the third looking for another takedown. McCrackin instead turned the tables.<br /> <br /> "No risk, no reward," Davidson said. "Maybe I do it different next time but I thought I could get another takedown. Instead he caught me off guard. Hopefully I'll see again."<br /> <br /> McCrackin felt it would come down to the third period.<br /> <br /> "I expected a tough match. We wrestled against each other in middle school and it was always tough," McCrackin said. "I was a little surprised he gave me a point to go ahead but I knew it wasn't over. I was able to catch him to get the takedown. I definitely expect to see him again. Hopefully in the state finals."<br /> <br /> West Hall senior Elliott Raiford continued his dominance at 160 pinning Banks County's Chris Guthrie in just 21 seconds to take the Area title.<br /> <br /> "I like to get a quick start and was able to get position on him and get the pin," said Raiford, who is 43-1 on the season. "I feel pretty good right now. Hopefully I can keep it going and win state."<br /> <br /> Raiford finished second in the state at 152 last year.<br /> <br /> At 195, two-time state champ Gavin Brown of Dawson County was taken to the wire by Matt Dilbeck of Banks County. Brown led 2-1 late in the third period but Dilbeck was able to pull an escape to tie the match. As Dilbeck was maneuvering to try a takedown, Brown was able to slip free and get a takedown of his own with just 2 seconds left to secure a 4-2 victory to win the Area title.<br /> <br /> Lumpkin County got Area titles from Logan Brown (113), Greg Hilliard (145), Conner Heriot (152), Eddie Daniel (182), Justin Cantrell (220), and Victor Ramos (285). The Indians had third-place finishers in Tristan Duckworth (126), Logan Benson (132), and Zach Matthews (195). Noah Denard took fourth at 160.<br /> <br /> Banks had just one third-place finisher in Austin Kennedy (182). The Leopards got Area titles from Corey Turner (120), McCrackin (126), Dylan Suttles (132), and Dylan Gouine (170).<br /> <br /> West Hall had third-place finishers in Robbie Campbell (120) and Adan Medina at 170. Julio Gallegos was fourth at 126 and Christian Erwin (182) also took fourth for the Spartans.<br /> <br /> East Hall had third-place finishers in Felton Wood (145) and Joseph Smith (160). Angel Vargas (113), Kevin Thompson (195), and Andrew Crawford (285) all finished fourth for the Vikings.<br /> <br /> Dawson County had third-place finishers in Justin Evans (113), Gilbert Pruitt (152), and Ty Williams (285). Jeremy Whalen (145), Caine Wells (170), and Brenden Capps (220) all took fourth for the Tigers.<br /> <br /> For Fannin County, Justin Wheat took third at 106 and Bradley Flowers was third at 220. Parker Brown finished fourth at 138 for the Rebels.<br /> <br /> For Franklin County, Abe Hafez took third at 138. Justin Wheat (106), Bryce Esco (120), Christian Hardin (132), and Josh Thompkins (152) all took fourth for the Indians.