Gilmer High wrestlers experienced a little bit of everything.
First up was the 515 Classic last Wednesday in Jasper, and the Bobcats defeated Union County (41-30), Fannin County (70-12) and Pickens (57-19).
The Bobcats then made their way north for the toughest tournament on the schedule at the Cleveland (Tenn.) Duals. GHS was 3-2 at the event, and its dual record now stands at 15-7 for the season.
The 515 title was redemption for the Bobcats. They lost last season for the first time in decades along the stretch of road.
“It (515) has been a tough tournament here lately, especially as the teams around us have gotten a lot better,” said head coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “Obviously we came up a little short last year. Fannin was second in state, Union was fourth and Pickens was second behind us. That’s a pretty tough stretch of teams.
“We knew it was going to be tough, especially with Union being undefeated, but we were ready for the challenge.”
Union is ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, and both teams had to bump wrestlers to minimize losses. The tide of the match turned with Bryson Shubin-Gibbs’ win at 215 pounds.
“It almost felt like we deflated a little bit. They were kind of taking the momentum away from us, and we weren’t able to pump the breaks until we got to Shubin-Gibbs. At that point it was 30-29, and he went out there against a huge guy was like 6’4”, 214 pounds. He got a massive pin for us to set us up for victory.”
Ghobadpoor noted that the Cleveland Duals are tougher than both the traditional and duals state tournaments. The event is hosted by the Blue Raiders, one of the top teams in Tennessee on a yearly basis. The county school, Bradley Central, has won 19 state titles in its history.
Gilmer’s day began against Huntsville, the No. 1 ranked team in Alabama’s Class 7A. Ghobadpoor said it was the “worst loss of his Gilmer career” in terms of point differential and GHS fell, 61-3. Next up was Woodland, the No. 3 ranked team in Class 5A. GHS lost, 36-24, before taking down Rossview, Tenn., 47-25.
In its first crossover match, Gilmer got to prove it still has plenty to offer versus Ringgold, who is the No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A. The Bobcats came out on top, 47-35.
“They were the only other 3A school at the tournament,” Ghobadpoor said. “I told the guys they have an opportunity presented to us to take out a top team or at least get to see a tough team.”
Eliceo Perez (132 pounds) and Bregan Berry (138) started the match with pins for GHS. Ringgold secured a major and pin to cut Gilmer’s lead to 12-11. Bobcat Aspen Hataway pinned his opponent at 157 before teammate Carson Farist (165) was pinned for the first time in his high school career.
GHS earned three straight pins by Israel Francisco (175), Juan Jacinto (190) and Shubin-Gibbs to open a 36-17 lead.
Gilmer forfeited at heavyweight and got pinned at 106. Manny Velasquez (113) and Braelyn Nelson (120) scored Gilmer’s remaining wins with a pin and tech fall. Ringgold ended the match with a victory at 126.
The Bobcats’ day ended with a loss to Bradley Central, 49-27.
Gilmer will be in Haralson County Saturday for a dual tournament.