Gilmer maintains area dominance
Gilmer High School has extended its local area wrestling dominance to 19 years.
GHS hosted the Area 7-3A traditional tournament last Saturday, and the Bobcats were the top team once again.
Half of the finals matches included Gilmer wrestlers, and Bobcats Juan Rafael (106 pounds), Carson Farist (120), Bregan Berry (132) and Diego Jacinto (190) all finished first.
Gilmer claimed its team championship by 13 points over second-place Pickens.
“That’s 19 years in a row now, which is so amazing, especially with how tough our area is this year,” said head coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “Also with us trying to figure out a way to rebuild and reload a little bit, a couple things happened all at once that made this much tougher. It wasn’t like we were running away with it and it was over after the first round. I’m just really proud of them.”
By the end of the event, GHS had qualified 12 wrestlers for the upcoming sectional tournament.
“I thought we had a really good day. Obviously you want to win every time you go out there. But realistically, we’re in a very, very tough area this year. We were kind of spoiled the last few years where we’re putting 12 guys in the finals and that kind of stuff,” Ghobadpoor said.
“This year area is loaded down. I think we’ve got four of the top 10 teams in the state in our area, and a couple are near the top. So for us to bring 12 guys through (from area to sectionals) and have the 13th guy as a (sectional) alternate, I was really proud of that.”
Both Rafael and Farist won with first-period pins in the finals. Rafael defeated West Hall’s Michael Moya, while Farist beat Chris Knight of Pickens. Berry went on to earn a 6-4 decision over Lumpkin’s Austin Marshall. Jacinto’s title was secured with a 3-2 decision versus Wesleyan’s Trent Debow.
Bobcats Leo Domingo (113), Luis Lucas (144) and Frisly Ambrocio (150) were area finalists as well and placed second. All three defeats came via decision.
Five Bobcats made their way to the consolation finals after enduring a loss. Alex Raymundo (126) pinned his opponent in the first period for third place.
Gilmer’s fourth-place finishers included Lleison Puac (138), Jovani Raymundo (165), Bryson Shubin-Gibbs (215) and Denny Ramirez (285).
All of the aforementioned wrestlers will continue their season at this week’s sectional tournament. Bobcat Blakely Andrews (157) finished fifth at area and will serve as a sectional alternate.
“I don’t think we had one person who did not wrestle up to their seed or above,” Ghobadpoor said. “I was really proud of that this year, again, we’re throwing a lot of new guys out there. We got nine new starters in the lineup at any time. So for us to get 12 of 13 through, we have four champs, three runners up, a third and a couple got fourth.
“Most of them have never wrestled in the area tournament before so that’s a lot of hands-on experience as we’re moving forward. That’ll really help those guys next year as well.”
Each wrestler will compete in a 16-man bracket at sectionals and Saturday at Upson Lee High School. Those who place in the top six of their respective weight class will qualify for the upcoming traditional state tournament.
“Area is not the be-all end-all,” Ghobadpoor said. “It’s about getting to state and placing at state and winning state. With those things in mind, we have things to work on. We just have to keep getting a little better, and that’s what we tell our guys.”
Sectionals will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Upson Lee High School.
Final Area Standings
1. Gilmer 211
2. Pickens 198
3. Lumpkin Co. 197
4. White Co. 168.5
5. West Hall 80
6. Wesleyan 76
7. Dawson Co. 58