Gilmer High will send 12 total wrestlers to this week’s traditional state tournament.
GHS boys and girls were both at Upson Lee High School last week for sectionals. The girls were up first, and five placed in the top six to qualify for state, which included champion Taylor Schiesser.
The Bobcats took the mat Saturday, and Juan Rafael and Diego Jacinto walked away as champions. Five more placed high enough to continue their seasons at state.
Rafael (106 pounds) continued his impressive season in search of a second consecutive individual state title. He took on Pike County’s Ayden Stanley in the finals and rolled to an 8-0 major.
Jacinto (190) had a rematch versus Wesleyan’s Trent DeBow. Jacinto won their matchup a week prior at area and also downed DeBow in the sectional finals, 5-2.
Schiesser (190) got her day started with a pair of first-period pins. She pinned her semifinals opponent in the second period to set up a finals meeting against Anetra Witherspoon of Cartersville. Schiesser earned a 9-7 decision to secure first place.
Both Carson Farist (120) and Bregan Berry (132) battled their way to the finals. Farist met a former opponent in Columbus’ Jonathan McDaniel, who notched a 6-2 decision. Berry also faced a previous foe when he took on Austin Marshall of Lumpkin County. Marshall was able to secure a pin in the third period.
Luis Lucas (144) reached the consolation finals and finished fourth. Leo Domingo (113) secured fifth place with a pin in his final match. Alex Raymundo (126) also finished fifth with a second-period pin.
Leticia Tercero (125) reached the consolation semifinals and lost 3-2 to finish fourth. Both Josephine Royer (105) and Sarai Solis (110) placed fifth. Royer won her last match 15-8, while Solis pinned her opponent. Linda Tercero (140) finished sixth and lost by major decision in her final match.
Bobcats Llison Puac (138), Frisly Ambrocio (150), Jovani Raymundo (165), Bryson Shubin-Gibbs (215) and Denny Ramirez (285) were also in attendance for GHS. Puac posted a 3-2 record while Ambrocio, Raymundo and Ramirez all went 1-2.
The traditional state tournament will be held at the Macon Coliseum Thursday through Saturday. A complete tournament schedule can be found at GHSA.net.