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Tanner Mask won his weight class at the traditional sectionals and is one of seven male and two female wrestlers heading to the state meet this week. (Submitted Photo) -
Freshman Paris Crowder pins his opponent on the way to a finals appearance at sectionals. (Submitted Photo) -
Miles Mason prepares to face off against an oppponent at sectionals. (Submitted Photo) -
Rylee Clark pins his opponent at sectionals. (Submitted Photo)
Nine Oglethorpe County wrestlers qualified for the Class A Traditional Championships that start Thursday.
Seven of the 14 boys qualified for the state tournament, which is in Macon. Meanwhile, both girls who competed — seniors Chelsea Durie (145 pounds) and Zy Edwards (235) — qualified.
“They’re both very self-aware that this is their last rodeo,” coach Tim Stoudenmire said.
Girls wrestling, sanctioned in 2018 in Georgia and described as “still in its infancy stage” by Stoudenmire, removes all classifications for school size in wrestling. With 303 schools competing, the competition is down to 12 wrestlers in each weight class.
Durie finished fifth at the sectionals and Edwards was the runner-up, losing her first match of the season after starting 38-0. In a way, Stoudenmire said the loss may benefit Edwards.
“The silver lining is the pressure of a perfect record is gone now,” Stoudenmire said.
For the boys, senior Tanner Mask (157) and junior Miles Mason (150) won at the sectionals and earned a first-round bye at state.
Mask, who has lost only twice during his senior season, said he’s trying not to worry about his opportunity.
“I’m going to try and be the best Tanner Mask,” he said. “And if the best Tanner Mask isn’t the state champion, then there’s nothing I could’ve done.”
Other qualifiers include freshman Paris Crowder (120), who reached the finals of the sectionals. Stoudenmire recognized his talent.
“When you consider how deep single-A wrestling is in Georgia, and he’s not old enough to get a learner’s permit, I mean he’s a baby,” Stoudenmire said. “He is an absolute walking, talking baby that wrestles like a man-child.”
Seniors Rylee Clark (126), Jayce Brown (175), Caleb Hall (190) and Nysir Witt (285) are Oglethorpe County’s other state qualifiers. Sophomore Keegan Moats will serve as an alternate.
Assistant coach Steve Mason said bringing home another trophy for Oglethorpe County is certainly within reach. When matches begin on Thursday, all Patriots will be in contention.
“There’s nobody that couldn’t place,” Mason said.