Bobcats win 17th straight traditional area championship
All 14 of Gilmer High School’s wrestlers qualified for the traditional state tournament.
They punched their tickets to state last Saturday at the Area 6-3A tournament. GHS hosted the event and welcomed North Murray, Murray County and Dawson County high schools.
Out of 14 weight classes, 12 saw Bobcats crowned champions to go with a pair of runner-up placements. As a team, GHS finished first for its 17th consecutive traditional area title.
“You couldn’t really ask for a better day than what we had outside of two more champs,” said GHS coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “Improvements are being made across the board, and I think this is the best we’ve been up to this point. We have guys at the right weight classes, and it was a total team effort.
“It’s pretty astonishing when you have 14 in the finals and come out with 12 champs. I’ve never experienced anything like that as a coach.”
GHS coaches were able to remain seated throughout the area finals, while the other corner rotated between coaches from the other three teams.
“At one point, I looked over at one of our assistant coaches and said, ‘It’s us against the world.’ I feel like that’s something we’ve become accustomed to in one way or another,” Ghobadpoor said.
GHS area champions included seniors Walter Lopez (120), Ronald Pierce (138), Brock Sumner (145), Abel Jacinto (160), juniors Arturo Gonzalez (113), Miguel Jacinto (170), Daniel Reynoso (182), Dylan Galloway (220), Tony Olea (285), sophomores Kellen Watts (126) and Diego Jacinto (152) and freshman Carson Farist (106).
Senior Gaspar Perez (132) and junior Owen Moss (195) both placed second.
In the finals, Gilmer’s winners by pin included Farist, Pierce, Sumner, Diego Jacinto and Galloway. Lopez and Reynoso were victorious by major deci sion, while Gonzalez, Watts, Abel Jacinto, Miguel Jacinto and Olea won by minor decision.
Perez lost his finals match, 3-1, and Moss was defeated in overtime, 6-5.
Gilmer topped out at 239 points on the day. Second place North Murray (130) was followed by Dawson (104) and Murray (100).
“It’s an outstanding feat and something all coaches from the present and past are a part of,” Ghobadpoor said of Gilmer’s 17 straight area titles. “I hope our community and wrestling alumni are proud we’re keeping this thing going and keeping it at the level we are.”
Ahead of the event, wrestlers Carmelina Tercero (132), Hannah Mayo (152) and Taylor Schessier (172) qualified for the girls state tournament.
In previous years, a sectional tournament followed area. Sectionals will not be held this year, and each wrestler at state will compete in a 24-man bracket.
Ghobadpoor discussed the importance of advancing 12 area champions.
“There is no sectional tournament. So we told the guys this (area) is the first round of state as far as your seeding,” he said.
“There’s going to be eight one seeds, eight twos and eight three seeds. If you come out with a one seed (as an area champ), you could be on the same playing level as a defending state champion. We’re a hop, skip and a jump from getting great draws. You always want a great draw because it makes your job a little bit easier.”
GHS has a quick turnaround. They will leave for Macon Tuesday and wrestle Wednesday and Thursday to decide the top team in Class 3A.
“The main things will be staying sharp, making sure we’re on weight and that we’re healthy,” Ghobadpoor said of the week.
The state tournament schedule can be found at Ghsa.net.