The state’s wrestlers took the mat for a final event ahead of traditional area tournaments.
Gilmer High made its way to Pickens last Friday and Saturday for the Burnt Mountain Classic. For the Bobcats, the tournament gave them a chance to recover as the final stretch of the season approaches. The bulk of GHS starters did not participate, and the Bobcats placed outside of the top 10.
Gilmer’s girls were in attendance as well and their day ended with four champions and a first place overall finish as a team.
Head coach Josh Ghobadpoor discussed the tournament and the Bobcats’ upcoming schedule.
“Mentally and emotionally, they needed an opportunity to collect themselves so we can make sure we’re 100 percent going into this week’s (area tournament),” he said. “Now it’s on to area, sectionals and state. If they had gotten enough mat time in, then we had some flexibility with them. Overall, I think it was good to give those guys a rest Saturday. They all still practiced through Friday. Hopefully, they’re ready and refreshed coming into this week.”
One varsity starter who did take the mat was junior Bregan Berry at 132 pounds. He walked away with first place as Gilmer’s lone boys varsity champion.
“We wanted to get him a little more mat time and he did as well,” Ghobadpoor said. “He dealt with a few injuries throughout the month of December and missed a few tournaments. I think he wanted more mat time, and I thought that was responsible on his behalf to wrestle and he made the most of it.
“We got a lot of backups in that varsity lineup, and there were some weight classes where we didn’t send anyone.”
Four Bobcats placed in the junior varsity portion of the tournament and included champion Eliceo Perez (132), third place Kade Miller (126) and fourth-place finishers Deyson Lopez (106) and Dalton Hamby (120).
GHS will host the area traditional tournament Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. Wrestlers who place in the top four of their respective weight class will advance to next week’s sectional tournament.
“We know who are going to be the guys who will represent us over the next several weeks,” Ghobadpoor said. “We’re individualizing some of the practice and getting guys what they need specifically to overcome some of the opponents they’re going to see later on.
“Most of the work from the season is done. Now we want to work on individual tweaks, maintain conditioning, heal injuries and keep everyone in a good place mentally.”
Some of Gilmer’s girls were given the day off as well. Eight attended the Burnt Mountain Classic with seven placing in the top four to claim first place in the team standings.
“It was a good tournament for the girls as we prepare for area,” said coach Stacy Galloway. “We kept several of our girls out of the tournament to rest and recover from some minor injuries sustained at state duals, so we only had eight competing.”
GHS won the 16-team event with 98 points ahead of second place Jackson County with 66. Southeast Whitfield rounded out the top three with 54.
Five Gilmer wrestlers reached the finals and champions included Josephine Royer (105), Sarai Solis (110), Leticia Tercero (125) and Taylor Schiesser (190). Hannah Mayo (170) was a runner-up while Juana Tercero (100) and Piper McCormick (155) were fourth.
The girls area tournament will be held Friday at Alexander High School.
“There are 33 teams in our area since there are no classifications for the girls teams,” Galloway noted. “They are prepared and focused, and we are hoping to achieve another goal of placing as a team at traditional state.”
Wrestlers who place in the top four of their respective weight class at area will advance to next week’s sectional tournament.