Twelve Gilmer Bobcats will continue their wrestling seasons.
GHS was one of seven teams at last Saturday’s Area 7-3A traditional wrestling tournament in Lumpkin County, and Bobcat Bregan Berry stood above all in the 132-pound weight class.
Bobcats Nelson Jacinto and Aspen Hataway were runners-up, and along with the remaining nine finishers, Gilmer placed third in the team standings. The finish ended the Bobcats’ 19-year run as traditional area champions.
The 12 GHS wrestlers who placed in the top four at area will continue the state qualifying process at Saturday’s sectional tournament.
“I was happy to get 12 through. Overall, I think we were shooting for 14,” said head coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “All 14 of our guys were seeded fourth or better, so you’d like to get all through based on that information. You always want to wrestle above your seed.
“Getting 12 through is very good, especially with our area being as tough as it is. Injuries have just really hurt us at the end of the year. Even some of our guys wrestling are beat up or have been sick. I think some wrestled really well, and some need to pick it up if they want to wrestle past this weekend.”
Following an opening round bye, Berry won by decision ahead of his finals match versus White County’s Davin Lightsey. Berry claimed his area title with an 11-6 decision.
Jacinto’s (106) first-round bye preceded a semifinal’s pin. In the finals, Jacinto met Lumpkin County’s Geovany Hernandez, who won with a 4-2 sudden victory.
Hataway (157) pinned his first two opponents before suffering a defeat by the same fate at the hands of Christian Keheley of White County in the finals.
After losing in the semifinals, five Bobcats went on to place third while tallying 3-1 records. Winners in the consolation finals included Braelyn Nelson (120), Eliceo Perez (126), Harrison Chester (150), Israel Francisco (175) and Denny Ramirez (285).
Alex Raymundo (138, 2-2 record) went on to finish third as well after dropping his first match of the tournament.
Losing in the consolation finals for fourth place were Gilmer’s Enrique Piaz (113, 1-1 record), Lleison Puac (144, 2-2) and Bryson Shubin-Gibbs (2-2).
“Eliceo had arguably one of the toughest weight classes and was seeded fourth and ended up getting third,” Ghobadpoor said. “Bregan looked great winning the area championship and beat a two-time state placer in the finals. Aspen has shown a lot of grit and toughness all year, and making it to the finals was a big deal for him.
“Nelson (Jacinto) lost in overtime in a really tough match, but I think that was a really uplifting and positive moment for him to realize, ‘Hey I can do this if I apply myself.’ Denny is getting better and better as the season goes on. We had a lot of bright spots.”
Jovani Raymundo (165) posted a 2-2 record and finished fifth. He will serve as an alternate at this weekend’s sectional tournament. Juan Jacinto (190) also competed for GHS at area and landed in sixth place with a 1-3 record.
Sectionals will be Saturday at Lumpkin County High School. Those who place in the top six of their weight class will qualify for the state tournament.
Ghobadpoor and his staff will focus on wrestlers’ individual needs over the final two weeks of the season. He is looking forward to seeing which of his wrestlers will “rise to the occasion” and make the most out of the rest of the season.
“There’s the opportunity to go to state and maybe get on the podium. That’s what we’re looking at, where is their mentality? Good or bad, that is contagious in the practice room. We’re looking for them to be energetic, positive and ready to do it,” Ghobadpoor said.
“Are we going to let the moment be too big or are we going to thrive in those moments and persevere and push through? A lot of that is going to come down to our kids and what they do. Two weeks is not a long time to teach a lot of things, but it is enough time to get prepared physically, mentally and emotionally for what they’re about to do.”
Final Area Standings
Lumpkin Co. 271.0
White Co. 198.5
Gilmer 191.0
Dawson Co. 145.0
Pickens 119.0
West Hall 82.0
Wesleyan 49.0