Gilmer High wrestlers returned from the traditional state wrestling tournament with seven medals in tow.
GHS was at the Clayton County Convocation Center four consecutive days last week, and the event wrapped up Saturday. Six Bobcats placed, and leading the way were state finalists Deyson Lopez (106 pounds) and Braelyn Nelson (150). Lady Cat Abelinda Tercero (135) finished fourth on the girls side.
As a team, the Bobcats placed fourth and topped out with 110.5 points.
“It was the best team that we could have had. We had everybody peak at the right time, and it was freaking awesome to be a part of,” said head coach Caleb Waddell. “And some kids didn’t get what they wanted, but they still performed. They still did exactly what we needed them to do.
“We got fourth place with only half the guys (with seven out of 14) weight classes scoring points. Fourth place is pretty impressive in my opinion. And you know, the gap from fourth to fifth was around 30 points. I was as proud as I could ever be. I mean, it was just phenomenal.”
Lopez secured two wins with a technical fall and pin. An 8-6 decision in the semifinals set up a meeting with Troup County’s Javen Russo, who won the title with a tech.
Nelson started his tournament with two decisions (6-1 and 7-6) before a 15-6 major in the semis. Jefferson’s Cruz Hezel defeated Nelson in the finals via tech.
Battling through the consolation bracket for third place were Manny Velasquez (132) and Dawson Richard (157).
Velasquez was losing 14-1 in the opening round and came back to win, 18-16. He lost by tech in the second round to eventual state champion Ty Murray. He then won four straight matches, and his final victory was a pin in the third period.
Richard secured two pins before a 7-5 loss in the semifinals. His next opponent was disqualified, and Richard claimed third with a first-period pin in the consolation finals.
Heavyweight Denny Ramirez pinned his first two opponents ahead of a 5-4 loss in the semifinals. A 1-0 decision landed him in the consolation finals, where he lost, 7-6.
Adolfo Bautista (144) wrapped up his season with a sixth-place medal. After a 9-2 decision, a major loss sent him to the consolation bracket. He went on to win by forfeit and decision and lost his final two matches.
Bo Cronic’s (165) three matches all ended with pins, and he posted a 1-2 record.
This marks the end of Waddell’s first season as a head coach. He is a GHS alum and won two individual titles as a Bobcat.
“This was so cool to be a part of,” he said. “And being on this end, it’s way more rewarding. That right there, getting fourth place in state and having six state placers, is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever been a part of. Just to see the progress and how much better they’ve gotten ... that’s been so awesome.
“Coach (Drew) Gaddy (director of wrestling) really played a huge role, allowing me to be the head coach of the boys and not have to be pulled away from many different things. He does everything right by the kids and wants them to be successful. It gives me that time to actually just coach. It’s been a dream.”
The Lady Cats took three qualifiers to state, accumulated 20 points for a 43rd overall placement out of 118 teams.
“We knew coming into this season that it would be a rebuilding year compared to recent seasons, due to the large number of seniors we graduated over the past couple of years,” said head coach Stacy Galloway.
“Even so, this team had an excellent season and remained competitive with the best programs in the state.”
Tercero won by major in the first round before she lost by the same result in the second. She then went on to win with a pin, major and decision. A major decision went in her opponent’s favor in the consolation finals.
Galloway noted her bracket featured six previous state placers, 12 total returning state qualifiers and three undefeated wrestlers with records of 42-0, 41-0 and 27-0.
“Abelinda had an amazing tournament, wrestling the best she has all year long,” Galloway said. “It was easily one of the toughest weight classes in the state and one to watch. She rose to the challenge and finished with an outstanding fourth-place finish.”
Erika Tercero (235) won her opening match before two losses ended her tournament. Juana Tercero (190) took the mat for two matches.
“Erika battled hard in a very competitive bracket. Many of the wrestlers in this division had faced each other multiple times throughout the season, and the matches often came down to small mistakes or conditioning,” said Galloway.
“On a different day, those matches could have easily gone her way. Erika is now a two-time state qualifier and will have more opportunities to return and compete for a place on the podium.”
Galloway added, “Juana had a tough draw as the fourth seed out. Despite the results, she wrestled very well against top-level competition, and we are excited about her future. With two more years remaining, she has positioned herself well for continued growth and success.”
Galloway is looking forward to the future as the program only graduated one senior. All state and sectional qualifiers will return, and Galloway believes some incoming freshmen will make an “immediate impact.”
“Expectations for next season are high. Several of our incoming freshmen are continuing to compete and develop through USA Wrestling, and many of our returning upperclassmen and incoming freshmen have also committed to wrestling freestyle this year,” he said.
“This will provide them with additional opportunities to compete, learn and continue developing their skills, which will only strengthen our program moving forward. We are expecting big things from this group next year and for years to come.”