(VIDEO) Wrestling: Lumpkin Co. continues dominance of 7-AAA at Traditionals

OAKWOOD — Just two weeks after finishing fourth at the Class AAA State Duals, Lumpkin County picked up right where it left off Saturday at the Area 7-AAA Traditional tournament at the West Hall gym.

The Indians had five champions among the 13 they sent through to the Sectionals next week at Morgan County. Areas 1, 3, 7, and 8 will meet in one Sectional while Areas 2, 4, 5, and 6 will meet in the other at Calhoun.

Lumpkin County coach Brian Matthews said his squad has been peaking at the right time.

“We’ve been working hard and the wrestling well,” he said. “I thought all the guys really competed. We’re very happy to send that many through. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

The Indians won the team title with 242 points. Banks County finished second with 185.5 points with five champions and sent seven through. Franklin County, which had nine advance, finished third with 180. 

It was a balanced tournament with every team sending at least four to the Sectionals. Only West Hall and Fannin County did not have an individual champion.

East Hall had the third-most champions with two, led by senior Will Davidson, who won his first-ever Area title at 126-pounds with a pin of Franklin County’s Bryce Esco. He finished sixth at state last year but was playing injured for most of the traditional season.

“It just feels right because I have worked hard for this,” Davidson said. “I was injured last year so I’m looking forward to going into the (Sectionals) healthy and confident.”

Below are the results for the Area 7-AAA meet, by weight class and with team standings:

106:

1. Devin Mullinax, Banks Co., TF, 15-0
2. Wyatt Smith, Dawson Co.
3. Chris Duck, Franklin Co.
4. JT. Phines, Lumpkin Co.

113:

1. Kelton LeBaron, Dawson Co., pin
2. Chase Pritchett, Franklin Co.
3. Zane Poe, Lumpkin Co.
4. Blake Stillwell, Fannin Co.

120:

1. Logan Brown, Lumpkin Co., pin
2. James Stoudenmire, East Hall
3. Robbie Campbell, West Hall
4. Kevin Arias, Dawson Co.

126:

1. Will Davidson, East Hall, pin
2. Bryce Esco, Franklin Co.
3. Eugenio Manilla, West Hall
4. Bradley Graff, Lumpkin Co.

132:

1. Ryan Buffington, East Hall, dec. 6-4
2. Branden Garnto, Lumpkin Co.
3. Robbie Rarick, Dawson Co.
4. Justin Wheat, Fannin Co.

138:

1. Chris McCracken, Banks Co., dec. 6-0
2. Christian Hardon, Franklin Co.
3. Cole Hopkins, Lumpkin Co.
4. Tristan Rhodes, East Hall

145:

1. Abe Hafez, Franklin Co., TF, 19-4
2. Jesse Bridgewater, West Hall
3. Carter Hopkins, Lumpkin Co.
4. Levi Baggett, Dawson Co.

152:

1. Julian Hazen, Lumpkin Co., pin
2. Eshun Hall, Franklin Co.
3. Ben Bruce Fannin Co.
4. Connor Speed, Banks Co.

160:

1. Chris Guthrie, Banks Co., dec. 12-7
2. Jeremy Whalen, Dawson Co.
3. Colton Carpenter, Fannin Co.
4. Logan Coker, Franklin Co.

170:

1. Dylan Gouine, Banks Co., Maj. dec. 11-0
2. Will Morrison, Lumpkin Co.
3. Hunter Mullen, Fannin Co.
4. Joseph Smith, East Hall

182:

1. John Brooks, Banks Co., Maj. dec. 21-4
2. Kevin Thompson, East Hall
3. Noah Denard, Lumpkin Co.
4. Jack Cupp, Dawson Co.

195:

1. Justin Cantrell, Lumpkin Co., pin
2. Austin Kennedy, Banks Co.
3. Brenden Capps, Dawson Co.
4. Michael Lewis, Fannin Co.

220:

1. Zach Matthews, Lumpkin Co., pin
2. Bradley Flowers, Fannin Co.
3. Dylan Hedden, Franklin Co.
4. Dylan Finley, East Hall

285:

1. Cesar Ramos, Lumpkin Co., pin
2. Brandon McGarity, Franklin Co.
3. Jordan Waddell, Dawson Co.
4. Ricky Castillo, West Hall

Team standings:

Lumpkin County        242
Banks County           185.5
Franklin County        180
Dawson County        156
East Hall                   143
Fannin County          114
West Hall                  96.5