State of the Program - Columbus (GA)
Coaching Staff:
Namu Keys
Tony Nguyen
Chris Church
John Mulvany
2023 Recap:
Finished 6th at the 3A Traditional State Tournament
Dual State Champions
Individuals:
Mason Persons - State Champ at 113
Tyler Secoy - State Champ at 175
Tyranny McGowan - State Champ at 285
Samuel Hendrix - SQ at 106
Micaiah Lacey - SQ at 126
Graduated:
Jonathan McDaniel - State Champ at 120
Dylan Heard - SQ at 150
2023-2024
Returners (Grade):
113 Cully Coates
126 Tyler Nguyen
132 Mason Persons
138 Micaiah Lacy
144 Sam Whampler
150 Rishi Polepolly
157 Gabe Myers
165 Ethan Secoy
175-190 Tyler Secoy
215 Christian Young
285 Tyranny Mcgowan
Columbus pulled off an incredible dual state title in 2023 - losing returning State Champ Tyler Nguyen to injury and 2x State Champ Tyler Secoy to a default … but the team battled through and claimed the title. With Nguyen still out and Columbus losing Ethan Secoy to injury (despite getting Tyler back) - Columbus battled but finished 6th at the traditional state tournament. Columbus graduated State Champ JT McDaniel and State Qualifier Dylan Heard, but one might argue they have a stronger team in 2023-24 because of the return of Tyler Nguyen and Ethan Secoy. But like so many others … Columbus is strong a certain spots in their lineup (Tyler Secoy at 175-190, Tyranny McGowan at 285, Mason Persons at 132, and Tyler Nguyen at 126), but will need others to step up to compliment that quartet. Add in Ethan Secoy, who likely would’ve placed in 2023, as well as 2023 State Qualifier Micaiah Lacy and Columbus has 6 spots where they will be tough to beat. The question is … who fills in the other 8 spots in the lineup … and that could determine where Columbus finishes as a team. Rishi Polepolly is the only other athlete listed with post-season experience. Christian Young transferred more than a year ago and sat out 2022-2023, Cully Coates, Sam Whampler, and Gabe Myers are all returners that will be called on. Keep an eye on freshmen Carter Dixon (120) and Cedric Montgomery (106) - both could play an important role in Columbus’s run to a title. - SEWrestle