Wrestling powers prepare for state traditional championships

By Stephen Black

Score Atlanta

Several wrestling powers are expected to again compete for the state traditional wrestling championships this weekend at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Pope and Holy Innocents’ are coming off state dual wrestling championships in January and figure to compete for the Class AAAA and Class A titles, respectively, in traditional wrestling this weekend.

Class AAAAA power Collins Hill is still seething about its tiebreaker loss to Camden County in the dual championships. The Eagles had won the previous four dual titles prior to this year and have won four straight in traditional-style grappling. Collins Hill qualified nine wrestlers for the state tournament this weekend, while Camden County has 13 wrestlers participating. That gives the Wildcats a big edge heading into the meet. Meanwhile, Archer qualified 12 wrestlers from its young program that is in just its third year of competing.

In Class AAAA, Pope is coming off its first dual championship ever and is threatening to win its second traditional wrestling title in a row. The Greyhounds qualified 10 wrestlers for the state meet, while Kell qualified eight. But six Loganville wrestlers will compete, while Alexander will bring five. Both teams will be in the mix for state gold.

Gilmer has emerged in Class AAA as a virtual monopoly after winning three of four traditional state titles and three straight in dual wrestling. The Bobcats will wrestle nine athletes in Gwinnett. Meanwhile, Carrollton qualified 10 for the state championships. The best hope from metro Atlanta in Class AAA may be Woodward Academy, which qualified eight for the state meet.

The Jefferson Dragons have won a traditional state title every year since 2001 and are the heavy favorites this weekend in Class AA. The Dragons qualified 13 wrestlers, including seven sectionals champions for the state meet. Lovett and Greater Atlanta Christian, however, each figure into the mix. Both teams qualified 11 wrestlers and could potentially upset Jefferson for the state title.

When Jefferson moved to Class AA in 2009, it was a great day for Bremen. The Blue Devils have won each traditional state championship since then. However, Holy Innocents’ pulled off an upset in the dual championships in January and look to be Bremen’s biggest threat in Class A. The Golden Bears qualified the most wrestlers in Class A with 12, while Bremen brings nine. Gordon Lee qualified 10 and could figure into the mix as a stiff challenger. Also, Spencer Jones of Darlington is attempting to win his fourth state championship in a row. Jones would become just the 24th wrestler in state history to accomplish the feat.

The GHSA Network will provide coverage on WSB-TV Channel 2 of the GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championship presented by Team Georgia Wrestling. The finals will be produced in high-definition (HD) and air on WSB-TV from 4-6 p.m. WSB-TV’s 2.2 digital channel, Me-TV will continue the live wrestling action from 6-7 p.m. on Comcast 248 and Charter 126. Also, the finals on each of the five classifications mats will be available to be viewed on GHSA.tv.