The Lumpkin County Indians accomplished something that has not occurred in over a decade.
Gilmer High was one of seven teams at last Saturday’s Area 7-3A duals in Pickens, and for the first time in 11 years, the Bobcats did not walk away as the top team.
After dropping White County (52-19) in the semifinals, GHS faced Lumpkin, the No. 4 ranked team in Class 3A. LCHS won eight of the opening nine bouts to put the Cats on the ropes, and they closed out the match for a 47-22 win.
While the Bobcats did not win the area title, their runner-up placement qualified them for the upcoming Class 3A state duals.
“We knew coming in Lumpkin was going to be very tough, and we’re a team with 10 new faces in the lineup,” said head coach Josh Ghobadpoor. “When you take a lot of things and put it in perspective, I’m unbelievably proud of this team. We almost rebuilt our entire squad with a lot of young guys in there and they’re battling, working hard and getting better.”
Wrestling in the finals started at 144 pounds, and Lumpkin began the proceedings with a decision, technical fall and pin. Bobcat Carson Farist’s (165 pounds) pin got GHS on the board to cut into the Indians’ lead, 14-6.
LCHS then notched a third-period pin in the 175-pound bout, and secured an opening-round pin at 190. Another decision at 215 and pin at heavyweight put GHS at a 35-6 disadvantage with six bouts remaining.
Gilmer’s remaining wins came with pins by Nelson Jacinto (106) and Bregan Berry (132), while Brealyn Nelson (120) scored four team points with a 13-1 major.
LCHS recorded a pin at 113 and decisions at 126 and 138.
“Lumpkin was better than us today. There’s not much more we could have done with our lineup to change the outcome,” Ghobadpoor said. “Maybe a few points here or there, but ultimately, our guys have to go out and wrestle. We did what we needed to prepare, but they had our number this year.
“This group of wrestlers has had a lot of pressure on them since day one to carry on a tradition. There are a lot of streaks they’re working hard to keep alive. Sometimes those streaks come to an end, but I’m just really proud of our kids right now.”
In the semifinals, GHS went ahead 14-0 with Berry’s technical fall and Alex Raymundo’s (138) decision, while Lleison Puac (144) won by injury default. Aspen Hataway’s pin at 157 was sandwiched between a WCHS pin fall and decision.
Bobcats Israel Fransisco (175) and Juan Jacinto (190) both pinned their opponent, and White did the same at 215. A Warrior major at 285 was their final win of the match as Gilmer’s lead stood at 32-19.
WCHS forfeited to Benito Thompson (106) and Jacinto (113) pinned to secure the team win. Nelson won by tech fall, and Miguel Reynoso (126) earned a decision.
“We walked away with bonus points in matches versus two of their best wrestlers (at 138 and 144),” Ghobadpoor noted. “White always has tough kids and we had to be prepared. There were probably two more matches we should have won, but I was proud of how our guys wrestled and what they brought to the table.”
GHS hosts Etowah today at 5:30 p.m., and senior wrestlers will be recognized prior to the start of the match. The Class 3A state duals will be at Lumpkin County Jan. 20.
“There are situations we need to continue to work on,” Ghobadpoor said of Gilmer’s practice agenda. “We’re going back to state, and now we have to focus on another group of teams and find out where our draw is and get back to work.
“After state last year, they put out a ranking with us as No. 20 in the state. We’ve been much better, and we’re going to keep working to get better.”