Georgia 4A Team Data
Here is a sample of some of what is being posted in SEWrestle+.
Table Key:
State Pts 2021 - # of Points earned at 2021 State Tournament
Return Pts - # of 2021 State Tournament Points “eligible” to Return for 21-22
SQ 2021 - # of 2021 State Tournament Qualifiers
SQ Return - # of 2021 State Tournament Qualifiers “eligible” to Return in 21-22
SP 2021 - # of 2021 State Tournament Placers
SQ Return - # of 2021 State Tournament Placers “eligible” to Return in 21-22
NOTE: You will see me use the term “eligible” because I actually don’t know who is returning and who is not (perhaps someone transferred, was injured, graduated early, or has grade problems). So these are the wrestlers that were not Seniors last year that are “eligible” to return. Obviously if they do not - it will change the numbers below. The GHSA also did not have “sectionals” a year ago - so we had more State Qualifiers than in previous years (in fact we could have had as many as 8 at each weight). The GHSA has planned to have sectionals in 21-22 (at least from everything I have heard thus far) - so I’ve given you the breakdown based on a sectional tournament happening in 2022.
Section 1 Schools
Area/Region 8 is super tough and the numbers don’t lie. Jefferson had 260 points last year and return 165 of those points in 2021-2022. With 7 of 13 State Qualifiers and 6 of 10 State Placers - they have to be favorites heading into the season. North Oconee, also a Region 8 team, return more than half of their points as well and should be in the hunt (they have roughly the same number of points as both West Laurens and Columbus as well as Marist). Marist is eligible to return all 12 of their 2021 State Qualifiers - if they can get them through a tough sectional this team could be in the hunt for the #2 spot. Overall Section 1 is loaded with talent - the question now is - who will be the 6 in each weight to get through?
Section 2
West Laurens produced the most # of 2021 State Points with 112.5 and they also return the most number with 86.5 (which is good for 2nd overall behind Jefferson). Columbus isn’t far behind and this doesn’t include the addition of State Runner-up Jonathan McDaniel from Shaw who moved during the off-season … so the gap between West Laurens and Columbus is actually pretty close. Troup County and Northwest Whitfield are next with roughly 45 points from the 2021 total coming back. Troup County returns 8 of their 8 State Qualifiers from last year … meaning if they can get them back to Macon and find a way to put them on the podium - they could be tough.
Area vs. Area
What to know:
Region 8 dominated - which isn’t a surprise. They had 28 of the 84 State Placers and outdistanced the 2nd Region (#7) by more than 200 points.
More than half of the 2021 State Placers are eligible to return with roughly 35% coming from Region 8
Region 7 (as a whole) was 2nd in points in 2021, but in terms of returning points they are neck and neck with Region 2 (184 vs. 182).
Section vs. Section
What to know …
Fairly even between the 2 sections at the 2021 state tournament. 39 State Placers from Section 1 and 45 from Section 2.
Section 1 returns more “points” from last year’s wrestlers, but fewer State Qualifiers (101 vs. 108)
