PERRY — Ware County had seven wrestlers crowned champions and all 14 competitors qualify for the state sectional while winning the Region 1 Traditional title here Saturday at Perry High School.
The Gators’ Steven Valdez (106 lbs.), Jaden McKelvin (144), Kayden Drury (150), Gunter Fore (157), David Muchison (165), Cameron Hambrick (175) and Kyler Matthews (285) won their respective classes.
The Gators, who have won both dual (10 titles) and traditional (nine titles) championship trophies in the same season eight times, finished with 278 points in the six-team event. Host Perry was second with 220 points. The Panthers were followed by Benedictine (174), Wayne County (159.5), New Hampstead (87) and Warner Robins (73.5).
The seven individual champions will be joined by Jordan Maxwell (113), Noah Paul (120), DaMarion Zanders (126), Rodrigo Reyes (132), Aaron Bennett (138), Trey Dean (190) and Jalen Hampton (215) at the Class 4A Sectional at Harris County High School in Hamilton.
The top four finishers in each respective weight classification earned spots in each of two Sectionals. Harris County is hosting Section A for regions 1, 3, 5 and 7. Cambridge will host regions 2, 4, 6 and 8 in Second B scheduled for Saturday, February 8.
The Lady Gators’ Emalee Hendrix (120) also advanced after placing fourth at the GHSA Girls Area 1 Traditional tournament at Houston County. She advances to the state Sectional at Houston County being held Friday, February 7.
Champions
Valdez (106; 49-13) won his semifinal match by pin (34 seconds) and via pinfall (3:28) in the finals.
McKelvin (144; 32-16) recorded three pins to claim his weight division. He notched his quarterfinal victory at 4:37, his semifinal win at 3:48 and his finals victory at 3:15.
Drury (150; 41-15) posted a pin win (3:06) in the semis and a 16-9 decision in the championship match.
Fore (157; 33-7) notched two quick pins winning at 1:00 in the semifinals and 1:04 in the finals.
Muchison (39-16) survived in the semis notching a 7-4 decision. He followed with a pin (1:40) in the championship.
Hambrick (175; 38-22) recorded two pins for his title winning at 5:34 in the semifinals and 3:00 in the finals.
Matthews (285; 20-9) posted two pin wins winning in the semis (3:42) and the finals (5:02).
Runner-up
Maxwell (113; 20-3) went 1-1 winning by pin (1:37) in the semis and losing the finals by a 10-1 major decision.
Zanders (126; 34-16) also went 1-1 winning his semifinal match with a 17-1 technical fall. He suffered a pin loss (2:45) in the finals.
Reyes 132; (43-17) followed suit gaining a forfeit victory in the semis. He was pinned (3:14) in the championship match.
Bennett (138; 25-19), who went 2-1, won his quarterfinal matchup via pin (1:12) and semifinal match by pin (3:22). He was pinned (4:55) in the finals.
Third-place
Paul (120; 18-30) finished third. He lost a 15-0 technical fall in the semifinals. Following a forfeit decision in the consolation semis, Paul produced a pin (2:40) in the third-place match.
Fourth-place
Dean (190; 8-11) posted a 1-2 mark winning a 15-0 technical fall decision in the quarterfinals. He was beaten by pin (22 sec.) in the semifinals and lost a 17-2 technical fall in the third-place match.
Hampton (215; 33-27) went 2-2 opening with a quarterfinal pin (1:58) before suffering a 16-1 technical fall setback in the semis. He bounced back in the consolation semifinals with a pin (2:33) before losing by pin (3:29) in the third-place match.
Lady Gators
WARNER ROBINS — The Lady Gators placed 18th in the field of 44 teams scoring 44 points.
Ware County had four grapplers competing including Hendrix. Joining her were Emmelee Haddock (130), Cambria McLaughlin (140) and Kira Brown (170).
Hendrix (120; 11-7) began tournament action with a pin (3:34) in the quarterfinals. She lost via pin (1:09) in the semifinals. Hendrix posted a pin (50 sec.) in the consolation semis before suffering a pin (3:52) loss in the third-place match.
Haddock (130; 5-8) was beaten twice by pins. She lost her first match (3:16) and her consolation match (52 sec.).
Cambria McLaughlin (140; 9-10) placed fifth in her weight class. She won her opening match via pin (41 sec.), followed by a pin loss (1:05) in the quarterfinals. She battled back through the consolation bracket with a five-second pin and a 11-9 decision. McLaughlin lost in the consolation semifinals via pin (37 sec.) and won the fifth-place match with a pin (1:46).
Brown (170; 12-4) opened with a pin (20 sec.). She lost in the quarters by pin (3:48). Brown won her first consolation match with a pin (2:27) before being ousted with a 10-4 loss.
Hendrix
