Gilmer High’s successful wrestling week began with a girls area title.
GHS was one of 25 teams at last Friday’s Area 7 traditional tournament at Alexander High. Gilmer won the team title by 10 points, and wrestlers Josephine Royer (105 pounds), Leticia Tercero (125) and Taylor Schiesser (190) were crowned individual champions.
There were eight inaugural traditional girls area tournaments held across the state as all teams compete in the same classification. Along with last month’s area and state duals, Gilmer continues to set standards for the sport.
“We’ve had a lot of firsts in our women’s program,” said head coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “From having the first individual GHSA state champion to now we’re the first area duals and traditional champions and the first program to also place in the top four at state duals. I’m just really proud of all of our kids.”
Royer squared off against Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe’s Spenser Sandlin in the finals and secured a pin with six seconds left in the first period. Tercero pinned Haleigh Colston of South Paulding with a second to spare in her match.
Schiesser made quick work of Hiram’s Rosali Oshodl with a pin in 71 seconds.
Three Gilmer wrestlers battled their way through the consolation bracket to take third and included Sarai Solis (110), Itzzy Xec-Luna (145) and Hannah Mayo (170). Both Solis and Mayo pinned their consolation finals opponent.
Also reaching the consolation finals and finishing fourth were Carmelina Tercero (135) and Linda Tercero (140).
Gilmer’s Juana Tercero (100) and Piper McCormick (155) placed sixth.
Behind Gilmer (129 points) in the area standings were Alexander (119) and Lumpkin County (115) to round out the top three.
“We lost some tough matches in the first couple rounds and they had to battle back. It was a battle all the way through to win it. We had people come back and get third and get pins and all those points matter,” Ghobadpoor said.
“Overall, our program as 20 wrestlers who qualified for sectionals. I think it shows we’re really focused on both teams.”
Area served as the first stage of postseason wrestling. Those who placed inside the top four qualified for Friday’s sectional tournament.
Wrestlers who finish in the top six at sectionals will advance to the traditional state tournament.