A Fan's Guide to the Georgia 2A State Tournament
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the GHSA 2A State Tournament
So what is a Fan’s Guide?
The Fan’s Guide is a look at the tournament as a whole and each individual weight class … from a fan’s perspective. But it is not a prediction of who will win or who will make the podium. In fact, a Fan’s Guide is a little different. It is a look at a few individual pieces from each bracket … they include:
Favorite: the wrestler that enters the tournament as a section champ and has the best shot to claim the top step.
Contenders: a wrestler that finishes 1st or 2nd at sectionals has a decent chance to make the podium … one of the champs and both runners-up should be considered contenders.
Darkhorse: a wrestler that finished 3rd or 4th at one of the sectional tournaments, but could make a run for the top step.
Bracketbuster: a wrestler that finished 5 or 6 in their section, but could make a run for the podium.
Isn’t that kind of a prediction?
Yes and no. I do identify the favorite, but beyond that I have no idea of who will march through the bracket and claim a title (don’t get me wrong - I’ve watched a lot of wrestling this season so I have an idea of what will happen). I could give you an educated guess about a possible finals match and who will make the podium, but in the world of high school wrestling that is dangerous territory. Few wrestlers (if any) are unbeatable … but we do have past results and past accomplishments on which to make a guess or two. In reality, I am as much of a fan as any of you and like to talk wrestling. I hope each athlete goes out and performs to her ability and we, as fans, get an opportunity to watch some great wrestling.
Remember the sole purpose of the website, twitter, instagram, fan’s guides, pictures, etc. is to promote the sport in the Southeast. Have a great time this weekend, enjoy the wrestling, and best of luck to everyone competing.
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS ASSUMING THAT THE INFORMATION INPUTTED INTO TRACKWRESTLING EITHER BY THE EVENT DIRECTOR OR THE COACHES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON IS CORRECT.
A Look Back to 2023
Team Race
Rockmart, Fannin and Toombs each brought a ton of qualifiers and had a huge advantage entering the tournament. Anytime you have 4 or more wrestlers than the next group of teams you are likely to finish ahead … and that’s exactly what happened. Add to that - Rockmart put 11 of their 13 on the podium compared to 8 for Fannin, and 6 for Toombs and it is easy to see how everything played out. All 7 of the other teams in the top 10 had between 5 and 9 qualifiers and it is fairly evident how making the podium impacted where they finished. Vidalia brought 9, but more importantly finished with 6 placers … East Jackson on the other hand brought just 5 but because they put 3 on the podium including one champ they finished 8th overall. Look for that to be the story this year as well.
Section Success Predicts State Success (usually)
Nothing is given, everything is earned … but there is a strong correlation between how well someone does at sectionals and their success in Macon. Ultimately team (and individual) success begins at sectionals (and honestly long before that). There is a direct relationship between being a Section Champ and eventually making the state podium. Keep that in mind when looking at our favorites, contenders, etc. further down the Guide.
Twelve of the 14 State Champs in 2A were Sectional Champs the previous week. 1 was a Section Runner-up … and then there was Kellon Walley of Banks County. Walley was the ultimate darkhorse or bracketbuster. He finished 6th in Section B and then made a run to the top of the 157 lb. podium. It does happen and that’s why we pick darkhorses and bracketbusters. But the majority of State Champs still come from the pool of section champs the previous week. In fact, 27 of the 28 section champs made the state podium … that is huge in the team race.
Team Notes
The table below is a list of every qualifier by school, along with their place. So we could talk about a number of different teams, but in reality there are just a handful that have enough to really make a run for a team title. They are discussed below the table.
A year ago Rockmart ran away with the traditional title. They may do that again this year, but it won’t because they come in with more qualifiers than everyone else. Rockmart is joined by Toombs County, East Jackson, Brantley County, and Cook with double digit qualifiers. Rockmart holds the advantage because they have 5 section champs, but Toombs is right there with 6 finalists (with 3 champs). Expect one of those 5 to win the team title. Banks County and Union County are in the hunt, but being down 2 or 3 qualifiers is going to be tough to overcome. Lastly, take a look at Friendship Christian and Vidalia … both have a ton of section champs - if both teams can put their champs in the state finals they will be in the hunt as well (although they don’t have enough to stay with everyone else on the backside).
Schedule
106 lbs.
The Field:
Eli Bowman (Rockmart) - Section A 1st
Ziare Perry (Jordan) - Section A 2nd
Eli Flowers (Union County) - Section A 3rd
Tyson Daniels (Cook) - Section A 4th
Ternez McCoy (Northeast Magnet) - Section A 5th
Charlie Wheeler (East Jackson HS) - Section A 6th
Brice Rasberry (Fellowship Christian School) - Section B 1st
Noah Smith (Brantley County HS) - Section B 2nd
Kameron Fourniller (North Cobb Christian) - Section B 3rd
Ayden Palmer (Callaway) - Section B 4th
Gage Mercer (Pierce County HS) - Section B 5th
Amir Gregory (Glenn Hills) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Eli Bowman (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Ziare Perry (Jordan)
Brice Rasberry (Fellowship Christian School)
Noah Smith (Brantley County HS)
Darkhorse: Eli Flowers (Union County)
Bracketbuster: Charlie Wheeler (East Jackson HS)
Things to know:
Bowman couldn’t break into the lineup a year ago, but has had a great sophomore season. He pinned Perry in the finals to claim the Section A title
Brice Rasberry is 39-5 as a freshman and tallied 3 falls to claim the Section B title including one over returning SQ Noah Smith in the finals.
Ziare Perry was 4th at 106 and is a legit threat to claim the title despite taking 2nd last weekend.
A name to keep an eye on is Charlie Wheeler of East Jackson - 3rd last year at this weight - finished 6th in Section A. Definitely one to watch as a bracketbuster.
113 lbs.
The Field:
BRANDON LOCKE (North Murray) - Section A 1st
Malachi Macedonio (Rockmart) - Section A 2nd
Braxton Lee (Haralson County) - Section A 3rd
Isaac Robbins (East Jackson HS) - Section A 4th
Xander Ledford (Banks County) - Section A 5th
Matthew Cowan (Fitzgerald) - Section A 6th
Wyatt Bunch (Toombs County) - Section B 1st
Steve Hodges (Landmark Christian School) - Section B 2nd
Wyatt Stanley (Putnam County) - Section B 3rd
Myikel Johnson (Vidalia) - Section B 4th
Jack Shuler (Eagles Landing Christian Academy) - Section B 5th
rylan benton (Brantley County HS) - Section B 6th
Favorite: BRANDON LOCKE (North Murray)
Contenders:
Malachi Macedonio (Rockmart)
Wyatt Bunch (Toombs County)
Steve Hodges (Landmark Christian School)
Darkhorse: Wyatt Stanley (Putnam County)
Bracketbuster: Jack Shuler (Eagles Landing Christian Academy)
Things to know:
Nothing is a given at 113
Returning 106 lb. State Champ and Section A Champ Brandon Locke is the favorite, but he has lost a few times this season including one to Malachi Macedonio at Areas.
Malachi Macedonio was 2nd to Locke at last year’s state tournament and will look to avenge that loss this weekend.
Wyatt Bunch is a talented freshman that won Section B fairly easily with an 8-0 major decision of Steve Hodges
Wyatt Stanley was 4th last year at 113 and lost a wild one to Hodges in the Section B semis and Jack Shuler was 6th at 106 a year ago
Xander Ledford is a returning SQ
120 lbs.
The Field:
Blake Summers (Fannin County HS) - Section A 1st
Justin Ford (Jordan) - Section A 2nd
Mason Smith (East Jackson HS) - Section A 3rd
Ja`Shad Wallace (Cook) - Section A 4th
Major Chambers (Rockmart) - Section A 5th
ELIJAH HARDIN (North Murray) - Section A 6th
Graham Jones (Fellowship Christian School) - Section B 1st
Mickel Huerta (Columbia) - Section B 2nd
Zahmir Watkins (Windsor Forest) - Section B 3rd
Jaxon Donaldson (Westside, Augusta) - Section B 4th
Riley Sargent (North Cobb Christian) - Section B 5th
Sawyer Grimsley (Brantley County HS) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Blake Summers (Fannin County HS)
Contenders:
Graham Jones (Fellowship Christian School)
Justin Ford (Jordan)
Mickel Huerta (Columbia)
Darkhorse: Mason Smith (East Jackson HS)
Bracketbuster: Major Chambers (Rockmart)
Things to know:
Blake Summers was 2nd a year ago and has been locked in all season - he comes in as your favorite after downing Chambers by major decision in the semis and then Ford by fall in the Section A final.
Graham Jones had to grind out a 10-7 decision over Huerta to claim the Section B title
Ja’Shad Wallace of Cook was 6th at this weight in 2023, Elijah Hardin was 3rd at 113 in 2023 and Justin Ford is a returning State Qualifier
Mason Smith and Major Chambers are two freshmen to watch
126 lbs.
The Field:
Landen Banks (Murray County) - Section A 1st
Danny Evans (Banks County) - Section A 2nd
Logan Opdycke (Rockmart) - Section A 3rd
James Reliford (Berrien County) - Section A 4th
Carter Woodall (Cook) - Section A 5th
Landon Poole (Fannin County HS) - Section A 6th
Colby Stock (Fellowship Christian School) - Section B 1st
Andrew Atkinson (BT Washington) - Section B 2nd
Jonathon Westberry (Brantley County HS) - Section B 3rd
Cooper Davis (Pierce County HS) - Section B 4th
James Goss (Putnam County) - Section B 5th
Liam Bagwell (North Cobb Christian) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Landen Banks (Murray County)
Contenders:
Colby Stock (Fellowship Christian School)
Danny Evans (Banks County)
Andrew Atkinson (BT Washington)
Darkhorse: Jonathon Westberry (Brantley County HS)
Bracketbuster: Carter Woodall (Cook)
Things to know:
Banks, a returning SQ, beat Evans in sudden victory for the Section A title, Evans beat Opdycke by 2 in the Section A semis … meaning this one to could be wide open
Colby Stock, a returning SQ, pinned Atkinson in the 1st period to claim the Section B title
The only returning placer in the field is Jonathan Westberry who was 6th at 120 last year … he lost 6-5 to Stock in the Section B quarters
132 lbs.
The Field:
Hagen Sharp (Rockmart) - Section A 1st
Avery Smith (East Jackson HS) - Section A 2nd
Terrell Gasaway (Rutland) - Section A 3rd
Phillip Berni (Jordan) - Section A 4th
Gavin Coleman (Jeff Davis HS) - Section A 5th
Harris Holley (Cook) - Section A 6th
Dallon Lowe (Brantley County HS) - Section B 1st
Robert Agzigian (Toombs County) - Section B 2nd
Andrew Watkins (Pierce County HS) - Section B 3rd
Jonquail Coats (Putnam County) - Section B 4th
Xavier Dilworth (Westside, Augusta) - Section B 5th
Kurtis Mitchell (Glenn Hills) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Hagen Sharp (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Dallon Lowe (Brantley County HS)
Avery Smith (East Jackson HS)
Robert Agzigian (Toombs County)
Darkhorse: Phillip Berni (Jordan)
Bracketbuster: Gavin Coleman (Jeff Davis HS)
Things to know:
Hagen Sharp is the returning 113 lb. State Champ - he beat Smith 6-2 in the Section A finals last weekend
Dallon Lowe and Robert Agzigian are both returning SQ’s … they had a tight Section B final before Lowe got the fall in the 3rd period
Avery Smith was 3rd at 126 and Phillip Berni was 2nd at 132; Jonquil Coats is a returning SQ
138 lbs.
The Field:
Garrett Pace (Rockmart) - Section A 1st
Anderson Clouse (Union County) - Section A 2nd
Ethan George (Jordan) - Section A 3rd
Ryan Lampe (East Jackson HS) - Section A 4th
Logan Kennedy (Cook) - Section A 5th
Anthony Adorno (Central (Macon)) - Section A 6th
Tyson Brantley (Toombs County) - Section B 1st
John Griffin (Towers) - Section B 2nd
Brackson Carter (Appling County) - Section B 3rd
Devin Young (Westside, Augusta) - Section B 4th
Levi Lawes (Fellowship Christian School) - Section B 5th
Jamaiel McClendon (Putnam County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Garrett Pace (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Anderson Clouse (Union County)
Tyson Brantley (Toombs County)
John Griffin (Towers)
Darkhorse: Ethan George (Jordan)
Bracketbuster: Logan Kennedy (Cook)
Things to know:
Garrett Pace has been outstanding all season - his only loss coming to nationally-ranked Drew Gorman in December. He put up a 15-4 major decision on Clouse in the Section A finals and is the heavy favorite to claim the title.
Tyson Brantley had 4 falls including a 1st period fall of Griffin to claim the Section B title
Anderson Clouse was 3rd at 132 in 2023 and Ethan George and Logan Kennedy are returning SQ’s
144 lbs.
The Field:
Paxon Legatt (Union County) - Section A 1st
Elijah Mullins (Banks County) - Section A 2nd
Caleb Blair (Murray County) - Section A 3rd
Jayten Waddell (Rockmart) - Section A 4th
Maliq Vickers (Cook) - Section A 5th
Tyshawn Brown (Northeast Magnet) - Section A 6th
Dabvn Wadley (Toombs County) - Section B 1st
Thawbaan As-Siddiq (Columbia) - Section B 2nd
Rylen Smith (Brantley County HS) - Section B 3rd
Elijah Copeland (Callaway) - Section B 4th
Forrest Whitley (Pierce County HS) - Section B 5th
Rush Phelps (Eagles Landing Christian Academy) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Dabvn Wadley (Toombs County)
Contenders:
Paxon Legatt (Union County)
Thawbaan As-Siddiq (Columbia)
Elijah Mullins (Banks County)
Darkhorse: Caleb Blair (Murray County)
Bracketbuster: Forrest Whitley (Pierce County HS)
Things to know:
One of the best weights to watch in 2A.
Dabvn Wadley won Section B with a 3-2 decision of As-Siddiq
Wadley was 4th at 138 last year, As-Siddiq was 2nd at 126
Paxton Legatt has had a superb freshman campaign - beat Blair of Murray Coutny 4-2 in the quarters and Mullins 8-1 in the finals to claim the Section A title
Caleb Blair - our darkhorse - was 3rd at 138 in 2023; Forrest Whitley was 6th at 126. Both Mullins and Elijah Copeland of Callaway are returning SQ’s
150 lbs.
The Field:
Nickiel Mikell (Southwest) - Section A 1st
Kole Smith (East Jackson HS) - Section A 2nd
Rylee Kines (Model) - Section A 3rd
Case Hanley (Banks County) - Section A 4th
Luke Clay (Rockmart) - Section A 5th
Kristopher Mcginnis (Murray County) - Section A 6th
Bruce Davis (Pierce County HS) - Section B 1st
Glenn Simmons (McNair) - Section B 2nd
Slade Landrum (Toombs County) - Section B 3rd
Ben Brown (North Cobb Christian) - Section B 4th
Travion Favorite (Towers) - Section B 5th
William Terek (Landmark Christian School) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Nickiel Mikell (Southwest)
Contenders:
Kole Smith (East Jackson HS)
Bruce Davis (Pierce County HS)
Glenn Simmons (McNair)
Darkhorse: Rylee Kines (Model)
Bracketbuster: Luke Clay (Rockmart)
Things to know:
Another weight that looks to be wide open.
Mickell is a returning State Qualifier and looked superb on his way to the Section A title; 3 falls and a 15-5 major decision … but he was in a close match with Case Hanley in the quarters before getting the fall.
Bruce Davis had to win some close matches to come away with the Section B title
Rylee Kines and Case Hanley are the only two in the weight who made the in the podium in 2023 - Kines was 4th at 150 and Hanley was 6th at 132
Kole Smith, Slade Landrum and Luke Clay are all returning SQ’s.
157 lbs.
The Field:
Payton Legatt (Union County) - Section A 1st
Jed Rountree (Cook) - Section A 2nd
Matthew Lopez (Berrien County) - Section A 3rd
Zack Sanders (Haralson County) - Section A 4th
CODY WHEAT (North Murray) - Section A 5th
Evan Reed (East Jackson HS) - Section A 6th
Drew Collins (Fellowship Christian School) - Section B 1st
Jeanarion Kamga (Westside, Augusta) - Section B 2nd
Payton Perez (Brantley County HS) - Section B 3rd
Ryder Schaltenbrand (Mt. Paran Christian School) - Section B 4th
Daniel Perry (Appling County) - Section B 5th
Michale Jones (Toombs County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Payton Legatt (Union County)
Contenders:
Jed Rountree (Cook)
Drew Collins (Fellowship Christian School)
Jeanarion Kamga (Westside, Augusta)
Darkhorse: Matthew Lopez (Berrien County)
Bracketbuster: CODY WHEAT (North Murray)
Things to know:
Payton Legatt was 3rd at this weight in 2023 and returns as the favorite after pinning Rountree to earn the Section A title last weekend
Jed Rountree was 2nd at this weight last year and has been solid all season - will we see a rematch between him and Legatt in the finals?
Drew Collins won some close matches (3-2 over Daniel Perry and 4-2 over Kamga) to claim the Section B title
Matthew Lopez, who lost to Legatt 6-3 in the semis was 2nd at 165 last year and is an easy pick as the darkhorse … certainly has the tools to win it all
Zack Sanders and Ryder Schaltenbrand are both in the field and both finished 6th at 150 in 2023; Jenarion Kamga and Michale Jones are a returning SQ’s
165 lbs.
The Field:
Davian Knox (Banks County) - Section A 1st
Chase Wingfield (East Jackson HS) - Section A 2nd
Eli Rider (Haralson County) - Section A 3rd
Rolando Gonzalez (Cook) - Section A 4th
Angel Upshaw-Peters (Southwest) - Section A 5th
Jaydon Bohannon (Jeff Davis HS) - Section A 6th
Gabriel Hightower (Vidalia) - Section B 1st
Gailan Wilds (Toombs County) - Section B 2nd
Brady Robinson (Landmark Christian School) - Section B 3rd
Calvin Williams (Callaway) - Section B 4th
Mark Winslette (Putnam County) - Section B 5th
Joshua McConnel (Brantley County HS) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Gabriel Hightower (Vidalia)
Contenders:
Davian Knox (Banks County)
Gailan Wilds (Toombs County)
Chase Wingfield (East Jackson HS)
Darkhorse: Brady Robinson (Landmark Christian School)
Bracketbuster: Mark Winslette (Putnam County)
Things to know:
Gabriel Hightower was 2nd at 150 in 2023; he is 54-4 on the season and looked great in downing Robinson 7-2 and Wilds 10-0 to claim the Section B title
Davian Knox dominated Section A - 4 falls to claim the title
Eli Rider was 6th 157 in 2023; Gailan Wilds, Brady Robinson, Calvin Williams, Mark Winslette and Angel Upshaw-Peters are all returning SQ’s
175 lbs.
The Field:
Nahzir Turner (Rockmart) - Section A 1st
Asa Smith-Foot (Union County) - Section A 2nd
Michael Riner (Dodge County) - Section A 3rd
Jazil Lester (East Jackson HS) - Section A 4th
BLAKE GRIFFIN (North Murray) - Section A 5th
Javvion Wynes (Southwest) - Section A 6th
Ronald Pointer (Vidalia) - Section B 1st
David Lyons (Pierce County HS) - Section B 2nd
Jack Farrell (Mt. Paran Christian School) - Section B 3rd
Pharrell Griffin (Columbia) - Section B 4th
Trey DeWalt (North Cobb Christian) - Section B 5th
Bryson Brown (Putnam County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Nahzir Turner (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Ronald Pointer (Vidalia)
Asa Smith-Foot (Union County)
David Lyons (Pierce County HS)
Darkhorse: Jack Farrell (Mt. Paran Christian School)
Bracketbuster: BLAKE GRIFFIN (North Murray)
Things to know:
Very good weight that is headlined by returning State Champ Nahzir Turner
Turner dominated on his way to the Section A title; pinning returning Placer (3rd at 150) Asa Smith-Foot in the 1st period
Ronald Pointer of Vidalia looked equally good in Section B. The returning State Placer (3rd at 190) had 2 falls and a 14-3 major of Lyons
Jack Farrell and Pharrell Griffin ae both returning SQ’s
190 lbs.
The Field:
Tyler Malone (Rockmart) - Section A 1st
Riley Davis (Model) - Section A 2nd
David Heredia (Union County) - Section A 3rd
Christian Holcombe (Banks County) - Section A 4th
Tristan Mitchell (Kendrick) - Section A 5th
Cameron Howard (Jordan) - Section A 6th
Jack Godbee (Vidalia) - Section B 1st
Melbourne Brown (Eagles Landing Christian Academy) - Section B 2nd
Gabriel Herlong (The Walker School) - Section B 3rd
Hayden Roy (Toombs County) - Section B 4th
Josiah Garrett (Callaway) - Section B 5th
Matthew Minard (Brantley County HS) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Tyler Malone (Rockmart)
Contenders:
Jack Godbee (Vidalia)
Riley Davis (Model)
Melbourne Brown (Eagles Landing Christian Academy)
Darkhorse: David Heredia (Union County)
Bracketbuster: Josiah Garrett (Callaway)
Things to know:
Tough to pick a favorite here. You could make a case for either Malone or Godbee. We go with Malone based on his win over Davis - giving him what looks like the easier path (if all goes to according to section placing - Godbee and Davis will meet in the semis).
Godbee was 4th last year at 157; Malone was 4th at this weight
Riley Davis was the State Runner-up at 175; Malone and Davis was a 4-2 match in the 3rd when Malone got the fall
Cameron Howard, Melbourne Brown and Gabriel Herlong were all State Qualifiers a year ago
215 lbs.
The Field:
Malcom Burris (Fitzgerald) - Section A 1st
Uriel Ortega (Jeff Davis HS) - Section A 2nd
Zevin Major (Model) - Section A 3rd
J`Sun Covington (Cook) - Section A 4th
Mason Dodd (Banks County) - Section A 5th
Brayden Thomason (Murray County) - Section A 6th
Marcus Dixon (Vidalia) - Section B 1st
Julian Dukes (Callaway) - Section B 2nd
Micah Rogers (Landmark Christian School) - Section B 3rd
Francisco Mozingo (Windsor Forest) - Section B 4th
Hayden Dearmond (Brantley County HS) - Section B 5th
Dakota Malone (Toombs County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Malcom Burris (Fitzgerald)
Contenders:
Marcus Dixon (Vidalia)
Julian Dukes (Callaway)
Uriel Ortega (Jeff Davis HS)
Darkhorse: Zevin Major (Model)
Bracketbuster: Mason Dodd (Banks County)
Things to know:
Malcom Burris was 4th last year at this weight as a freshman; Marcus Dixon and J’Sun Covington were 6th at this weight as well
Uriel Ortega and Mason Dodd are both returning SQ’s
285 lbs.
The Field:
Paul Jenkins (East Jackson HS) - Section A 1st
Robert Walker (Banks County) - Section A 2nd
Kyle Terrell (Cook) - Section A 3rd
Beau Webster (Union County) - Section A 4th
Carey Tucker (Rockmart) - Section A 5th
Xavier Bailey (Rutland) - Section A 6th
Josh Petty (Fellowship Christian School) - Section B 1st
Brock Nobles (Toombs County) - Section B 2nd
Anthony Spradling (The Walker School) - Section B 3rd
Stephen Cheeks (Vidalia) - Section B 4th
Jojo Shuman (Callaway) - Section B 5th
Edwin Burt (Appling County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Josh Petty (Fellowship Christian School)
Contenders:
Brock Nobles (Toombs County)
Paul Jenkins (East Jackson HS)
Robert Walker (Banks County)
Darkhorse: Anthony Spradling (The Walker School)
Bracketbuster: Jojo Shuman (Callaway)
Things to know:
Expect a very competitive weekend in this bracket
Josh Petty is the returning runner-up at the weight, but he had to battle Nobles to a 4-0 decision to take the Section B title
Brock Nobles was 4th at 285 in 2023
Paul Jenkins earned a 5-2 decision over Walker, a 2023 SQ, to claim the Section A title
Jojo Shuman was 6th in 2023 and Anthony Spradling and Stephen Cheeks are both returning SQ’s.