Cass wins Region 7-5A Traditional Championship; 44 local individuals advance to State Sectionals

Cass junior Zach McKnight won the 170-pound Region 7-5A Traditional title Saturday for one of eight Colonels' individual champions. Cass qualified wrestlers for next weekend's State Sectionals at LakePoint in 13 of 14 weight classes.

The current reputation of high school wrestling in Bartow County was definitely on display Saturday in a pair of region/area traditional wrestling tournaments. In all, 44 individuals from the four local programs earned top four finishes to advance to their respective state tournaments. A total of 17 local wrestlers won their region or area championships.

The Cass High School wrestling team won the Region 7-5A Traditional Championship Saturday at Cartersville High School by capturing eight individual weight division titles and qualifying individuals for the state tournament in 13 of 14 weight classes.

The Colonels collected 261.5 points to win by 39 points over runner-up Woodland. The Wildcats finished with 222.5 points. Calhoun (163) was third with Cartersville (145.5) fourth. Blessed Trinity and Hiram placed fifth and sixth, respectively.

The eight individual titles by Cass included wins by a freshman, two sophomores and three juniors. Seniors Bryce Kresho (138-pounds) and University of North Carolina signee Cole Hunt (120) won their brackets. Juniors Tyler McKnight (145), Zach McKnight (170), and Parker Dunn (182) were weight class champions along with sophomores Lee Camp (106) and Jake Crapps (126). Cass freshman A.J. Piatt won the 113-pound division.

Woodland's Marvin Hernandez finished runner-up in the 106-pound bracket Saturday.

Five other Colonels qualified for the state tournament which begins next Friday and Saturday at LakePoint in Emerson and each of those wrestlers are underclassmen.

Juniors Eli Doolittle (152) and Tripp Adams (195) were region runners-up. Freshman Kriecg Roe (160) finished third while junior William Buttram (220) and freshman Anthony Alcazar (Heavyweight) notched fourth place results.

Woodland’s runner-up finish included five weight class winners, five runners-up, and one third place.

Seniors William Bishop (132), Caleb Henson (152), and Cole Cochran (160) took care of business Saturday with each winning their respective weight class. Junior Charles Higdon (195) and sophomore Kwadrus Wilson (220) also won region titles.

Marvin Hernandez (106, jr.), Carson Bailey (126, sr.), Brandon Montes (170, sr.), Jeremiah Rhodes (182, sr.), and Beau Jernigan (Hwt, sr.) were runners-up for the Wildcats with Randy Buchanan (138, sr.) placing third.

Cartersville senior Shadre Hurst won the region heavyweight title with seven other Canes earning trips to the state sectionals. Five of the Cartersville qualifiers are either freshmen or sophomores.

Eaiden Neal (113, so.) and Giles Turner (138, sr.) finished as region runners-up. Grant Adams (106, fr.), Camden Geer (126, sr.) placed third while Grey Williams (120, fr.), Talan Nix (132, fr.), and Jackson Latimore (145, so.) added fourth place finishes.

At least 29 schools will be represented at the Class 5A State Sectional at LakePoint this Friday and Saturday with the top six individuals in each weight class advancing to the GHSA State Championships in Macon February 10-12.

ADAIRSVILLE RUNNER-UP AT CLASS 3A AREA 4 TOURNEY; TIGERS ADVANCE 12 INDIVIDUALS

Host Rockmart won the Class AAA Area 4 Traditional tournament Saturday with eight individuals winning Area titles while the Yellow Jackets accumulated 228.5 points, but Adairsville followed with a strong runner-up team finish and advanced a dozen individuals.

Adairsville was second with 149 team points followed by Westminster (128) and Greater Atlanta Christian (48).

Tigers’ seniors Isaac Linley (132-pounds) and James Lynch (195) won their weight classes as did sophomore Jaimon Long (182).

Five Adairsville wrestlers placed second at Area including Jaxson Owens (120), Jacob Pasley (126), Howard Bailey (138), Jamori Speights (145), and Luke Story (285).

Brett Lance (152), Ethan Blome (160), and Druu Faulk (170) placed third. Jett Johnson (220) was fourth for the Tigers.

Adairsville’s twelve state qualifiers advance to the Class AAA State Sectional B which will be hosted Friday and Saturday in Dahlonega at Lumpkin County High School.