Reclassification has altered the GHSA wrestling landscape and this season, new rivalries might take shape in the shifted classifications while former foes could reunite as the traditional wrestling season ends at the Centreplex in Macon.
Each team has 14 wrestlers competing in 14 respective weight classes. Classes 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A will wrestle to the winner’s bracket semifinals Thursday and will award champions Friday afternoon. Classes 6A, 5A and the girls division will wrestle to the winner’s bracket semifinals Friday and will award champions Saturday afternoon.
RECLASS REMIX
The GHSA did away with Class 7A and now 6A is the highest class but regardless of being classified in 7A or 6A, 10-time champion Camden County is a favorite. The Wildcats have won every traditional title since 2015 and are chasing Jefferson’s streak of 18-consecutive titles from 2001 to 2018. Speaking of 24-time champion Jefferson, it will now compete in Class 3A after wrestling in Class 5A last season.
The Wildcats – who are coming off their 12th consecutive team duals title — feature top-tier talent across the 14 weight classes – Clayton Newton (106 pounds), Bradley Patterson (113), Isaac Santos (120), Can Smolarsky (126), Brandon Higgins (132), Hunter Prosen (138), Rod Zow (144), Waylon Rozier (150) Brock Weaver (157), Jamaal Coppedge (165), Brian Wright (175), Ryder Wilder (190), Caleb Gaskin (215) and Joseph Schulze (285).
South Effingham is the sitting Class 6A champion and will compete in Class 5A this season. The Mustangs are led by Kevin Steptoe (285), Brandon (157) and Brayden (150) Bringer, Christopher Hardeman (106) and Tahrik Bailey (113). Creekview is coming off a team duals title – the program’s first — and could provide a challenge.
MEET ON THE MATS
Sitting Class 5A champion Ola will compete in Class 4A this year alongside sitting Class 4A champion Central-Carroll. Both programs won their first championships last season and enter this year’s tournament with a shared experience. Cass enters the traditional tournament after winning the team duals title a month ago, the team’s fourth and second-straight.
With the shift down from Class 5A, Jefferson is a favorite in the Class 3A tournament this season in a wide-open class. Sitting Class 3A champion Columbus will lead the Class 2A field this season. Jefferson won its first title in 1983 and defended it the next season. It won its third championship in 1989 and another in 1995. In 2001, the Dragons began the streak of 18-straight championships.
From 2001-2008, Jefferson won Class A titles before moving up to Class 2A and winning from 2009-2014. In 2015, the Dragons moved to Class 3A and won two titles before reclassifying again to Class 4A where they won in 2017 and 2018. The streak ended in 2019 but the program secured the Class 4A championship in 2021 and won the Class 5A title in 2023. The Dragons are coming off a team duals championship, the program’s 21st team duals title.
RETURN TO GLORY
In Class 2A, two-time defending champion Rockmart is a favorite and has been a resurging force in the high school wrestling world. The Yellow Jackets have won 12 championships but before winning the Class 3A title in 2021, the program had not taken home a traditional trophy since 2003. The team won its first titles in 1972-1974, won in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1989 before back-to-back titles in 2002-03. The team has won the past four team duals titles in Classes 3A (2022) and 2A (2023-25). But challenging Rockmart this season is 2023 Class 4A champion Lovett.
Seven-time and back-to-back champion Social Circle tops contenders in Class A having won all of its championships since 2015. The Redskins won five-straight titles from 2015-2019 before securing the Class A title in the past two seasons.
The Carrollton girls are favored in the girls division, led by Hailey Lussier (235), Journey Gray (190), Madison Cooley (155), Bailey Moore (125), Cadence Wilson (110) and Elise Haueter (105) who bring experience for the Trojans. Last season, Carrollton finished atop the class in the event’s second season.
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