(Graphic/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Oglethorpe County’s Miles Mason finished fourth at 165 pounds and Paris Crowder was sixth at 138 pounds at the Class A Division I state wrestling meet in Macon last weekend.
The Patriots finished 21-6 in Steve Mason’s first season as coach. They won two tournaments, finished second at two more and fourth in three other tournaments, including the area duals and the traditional area.
“This was by far the toughest state tournament I have ever been associated with,” Steve Mason said. “Coaches from other schools also agreed. You had returning state champs not placing, state runnerups going 0-2. The level of competition has made a huge jump in the last 2-3 years. Not only do you have to be a top-tier athlete, but you better be on a wrestling mat 52 weeks out of the year sharpening your skills.”
Miles Mason placed at state for the third time in his four-year career. Crowder, a sophomore, has placed at state in his two seasons at OCHS.
OCHS’ other state qualifiers included Dylan Dunaway, who went 2-2 at the meet, Klo Say (1-2), Tanner McKie (1-2) and Aidan Dellinger (0-2).
Miles Mason, Say, September Htoo, Mathew Haney, Nayshawn Hagans, Dylan Dunaway and Will Bonner are seniors this season.
“I would like to say thank you to all of our senior wrestlers,” Steve Mason said. “I am proud of the improvements they made over the course of the season and the contributions they made to the team. I know you will make our OC wrestling family proud in the future.”
Girls basketball season ends
Banks County defeated Oglethorpe County 71-36 in the first round of the Girls Class A Division I basketball tournament on Tuesday, ending the Patriots’ season.