MACON — The area's top individual wrestlers made quite an impression on the first day of the state traditional championships on Thursday in Macon.
Nineteen wrestlers hailing from northeast Georgia programs battled their way into the semifinals of the championship rounds, keeping alive hopes for a gold medal, while 22 more are still in contention for a third place finish at the three-day event. (NOTE: Scroll down for a complete look at wrestlers in Classes AAAA-AAAAAA still competing.)
The most impressive performance came from Buford, as 10 Wolves fought their way into their respective weight class semifinals in Class AAAAA. Jefferson was not far behind with six semifinalists in Class AAAA -- hardly surprising for either program, as Buford is coming off a state duals crown and the Dragons are gunning for their 17th straight traditionals title after capturing their 16th straight duals crown earlier this season.
It was just part of a big day for northeast Georgia grapplers, as the larger classifications got underway. Meanwhile, Classes A-AAA will get going on Friday in Macon, with a number of area wrestlers also expetced to excel in those showdowns.
Commerce is looking to nail down its fourth straight Class A traditional title, while Lumpkin County qualified nine grapplers in Class AAA. The Tigers already notched a Class A duals title earlier this season, while the Indians finished second in AAA. (NOTE: Also included below is a list of area wrestlers set to compete in Classes A-AAA.)
Wrestling will commence at 10 a.m. Friday in Macon for A-AAA, while Classes AAAA-AAAAA begin at noon. The two largest classes get underway at 1 p.m. Friday.
All consolation finals and championship finals will take place on Saturday in Macon.
AREA WRESTLERS IN CLASSES AAAA-AAAAAA STILL COMPETING IN STATE TRADITIONALS
Wrestlers listed by school, by weight class
Class AAAA
CHESTATEE
106 -- Caleb Carter -- alive for third
120 -- Gavin Cunningham -- alive for third
145 -- Matthew McClellan -- semifinalist
285 -- Gavin London -- alive for third
JEFFERSON
106 -- Christian Partan -- alive for third
113 -- John Peavey -- alive for third
120 -- Jared Blackburn -- semifinalist
126 -- Ian Statia -- semifinalist
132 -- Bates Dawson -- semifinalist
138 -- Cole Potts -- alive for third
145 -- Coy Strong -- alive for third
160 -- Mason Corbett -- semifinalist
170 -- Hunter Allen -- alive for third
182 -- Caleb Little -- semifinalist
220 -- Nick Holman -- semifinalist
STEPHENS COUNTY
132 -- Nikko Beady -- alive for third
145 -- Jay Stowe -- alive for third
152 -- Corey Kindel -- alive for third
195 -- Gavin Walker -- semifinalist
WHITE COUNTY
120 -- Sean Wurtz -- alive for third
126 -- Matt Jenkins -- alive for third
285 -- Deejay Fleming -- alive for third
Class AAAAA
BUFORD
106 -- Logan Ashton -- semifinalist
113 -- Kyle McCullough -- semifinalist
126 -- Nick Stonecheck -- semifinalist
132 -- Blaine Bergey -- semifinalist
138 -- Charlie Darracott -- semifinalist
145 -- Ethan Ceren -- semifinalist
152 -- Trent Ferguson -- semifinalist
160 -- Tristan Bozoian -- semifinalist
170 -- Cooper Roberts -- semifinalist
195 -- Jack Ness -- semifinalist
220 -- John Downing -- alive for third
285 -- Quentin Skinner -- alive for third
FLOWERY BRANCH
138 -- Tyler Webb -- alive for third
152 -- Wyatt Sladek -- alive for third
220 -- Anthony Woodall -- semifinalist
Class AAAAAA
GAINESVILLE
145 -- Malique Johnson -- alive for third
285 -- Keith Harris -- alive for third
LANIER
106 -- Richard Rannals -- alive for third
170 -- Ethan Wilson -- alive for third
AREA WRESTLERS IN CLASSES A-AAA QUALIFIED FOR STATE TRADITIONALS
Wrestlers listed by school, by weight class
Class A
COMMERCE
106 -- Dakota Moon
120 -- Tucker Flint
126 -- Kole Burchett
132 -- Austin Black
138 -- Dalton Flint
145 -- Jake Brewer
152 -- Nick Patrick
160 -- Owen Brown
170 -- Chase Forrester
182 -- Mitchell Patton
195 -- Cole Chancey
220 -- Knox Allen
285 -- Cade Ridley
TOWNS COUNTY
126 -- Kaine Hoffman
145 -- Blaine Rogers
170 -- Nick Shook
Class AA
BANKS COUNTY
160 -- Davis Day
182 -- John Brooks
195 -- Terrance Walker
RABUN COUNTY
195 -- Sam Butikofer
Class AAA
DAWSON COUNTY
113 -- Kelton LeBaron
120 -- Wyatt Smith
182 -- Jeremy Whalen
EAST HALL
132 -- James Stoudenmire
160 -- Blake Nix
FANNIN COUNTY
106 -- Landon Galloway
138 -- Parker Brown
JACKSON COUNTY
126 -- Jacob Love
132 -- Ben Gilbreath
138 -- Chandler Saine
170 -- Anthony Wingfield
182 -- Davey Jennings
195 -- Kyle Graham
LUMPKIN COUNTY
106 -- J.T. Phines
138 -- Nolan Wheeler
145 -- Cole Hopkins
152 -- Carter Hopkins
160 -- Connor Heriot
182 -- Cole White
195 -- Noah Denard
220 -- Zach Matthews
285 -- Ceszar Ramos
NORTH HALL
113 -- Matt Glenn
120 -- John Pedraza
126 -- Bryson Smith
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/2/500479/wrestling-northeast-georgia-grapplers-enjoy-strong-first-day-at-state-traditionals