A historical look at Georgia 1A Traditional State Champions

If you are a recent follower of wrestling in Georgia you might associate 1A with Commerce and for good reason. Commerce holds the 2nd most 1A titles and won 7 in a row from 2014 to 2020. But the program with the most 1A titles is current 5A power Jefferson. Jefferson has won 12 traditional 1A state titles including 8 in a row from 2001 to 2008. Bremen, Armuchee, Trion, Lovett, Rockmart and North Springs are also programs that have won multiple traditional titles in the smallest classification. 1A is one of the classifications that has the greatest percentage of schools that have not crowned an individual champion - likely because the top programs have a tendency to dominate. Take 2023 as an example - Mt Pisgah Christian had 5 individual champions and Social Circle had 3. So more than half of the champions came from just two programs. Below are the most recent state champions of the current 1A programs (keep in mind that the individuals were not necessarily individual 1A State Champions … this is a look at the current 1A programs and their last champion).

Let’s take a closer look at just a few of these names (no time to delve into all of them):

Metter High School has only crowned two individual champs in their history and both occurred in the same season. The most interesting thing is that Rex Martin claimed the 103 lb. title in 2021 and his teammate, William Wright, won the 275 lb. title. The 2001 year for Metter team was easily the best in the program’s history taking 6th - the only time they have cracked the top 10). Joining Martin and Wright on the podium were Jeremiah Wellman and Chris Wiggins. Metter has had 4 placers since that 2001 season, but none that have made the finals.

Mark Mongell probably isn’t concerned, but his place on this graphic is in serious jeopardy with Jace and Cade Parent looking to climb to the top step this weekend. Mongell won a state title for St Francis in 2011 at 215 lbs. He is just the second Knight to claim a title - Richie Boland won it twice in 2002 and 2003. Etahn sparks was a 3x placer for St Francis in 2014-2016, but no one has been able to knock Mongell off since 2011. Will 2024 be the year that the graphic gets updated for St Francis?

Irwin County has a long history of success in 1A. They won a traditional team title in 1997, have finished 2nd twice, and have been in the top 10 countless times. They’ve also had their fair share of State Placers (47 different individuals) and State Champions (16). DJ Lundy, Horace Young, and Ira Strickland have won 3 titles each. But your current holder of the spot is 2022 State Champion Jordan Dunlap. Dunlap was 4th in 2021 before claiming the 120 lb. title in 2022. Irwin County always has individuals ready to make a run for a title … who is the next Indian ready to take over the top spot?