A Fan's Guide to the Georgia 4A State Tournament
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the GHSA 4A 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
No surprise that the team with double digit qualifiers is the team that won the title. Now don’t get me wrong … a large # of qualifiers isn’t a guarantee of anything and Lovett still had work to do with Central (Carroll) and others nipping at their heels. But they had more room for error - for an upset to happen or for something else that was unexpected to occur. They parlayed their double digit qualifiers into the most placers of anyone in the field and that is why they finished 40 points ahead of Central Carroll. Walnut Grove and Sonoraville qualified just 4 and finished in the top 10 - so numbers aren’t the only thing, but it is a great place to start. Keep an eye on the number of qualifiers - especially those that are sectional champs or runners-up and you should have a good idea of who will claim the team title in 2024.
Section Success Predicts State Success
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.
Again we see a fairly typical distribution - one we have seen with several other classes as well. 11 of the 14 champs were section champs the weekend before, 2 of the others were section runners-up and then we had our darkhorse in Braydon Bowen of Troup. Bowen was 4th in Section B at 138, but battled his way to a state title. But the rest was what we might expect. 27 of 28 section champs made the podium. Just 6 (of 56) wrestlers that finished either 5th or 6th at sectionals made the podium … what we would consider to be our bracketbusters. Will 4A have a darkhorse this year? We always have a few bracketbusters - who will they be?
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.
Another instance of where my mantra is kind of tossed on its head … the mantra being “team state titles cannot be won at sectionals, but can be lost”. With 13 qualifiers, 9 finalists and 6 being champs … it is hard to imagine Central Carroll not winning 4A. We don’t hand out trophies before the tournament - but it looks as if everyone is battling for 2nd. Troup, Chestatee, Walnut Grove, NW Whitfield, North Hall, SE Whitfield, Heritage, and North Oconee all have a shot. Lovett and Johnson are the only other teams with 2 or more section champs, but neither has the numbers to battle for the #2 spot.
Schedule
106 lbs.
The Field:
Gabe Swann (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 1st
Kaden Taylor (Heritage-Catoosa) - Section A 2nd
Abraham Hurd (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 3rd
Aiden Simmons (Benedictine Military School) - Section A 4th
Brandon Tapia (Southeast Whitfield) - Section A 5th
Tristan Yarbrough (Wayne County HS) - Section A 6th
ANSON YOUNG (North Oconee) - Section B 1st
Owen Etris (Chestatee) - Section B 2nd
Mathew Kohlman (Perry) - Section B 3rd
Artavus Hughes (Stephenson) - Section B 4th
Dontavious Perry (Stone Mountain) - Section B 5th
Jake Ladewig (North Hall) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Gabe Swann (Central (Carroll))
Contenders:
ANSON YOUNG (North Oconee)
Kaden Taylor (Heritage-Catoosa)
Owen Etris (Chestatee)
Darkhorse: Abraham Hurd (Northwest Whitfield High)
Bracketbuster: Dontavious Perry (Stone Mountain)
Things to know:
Fewer are bigger favorites than Swann in 4A. Swann is the best 106 in the state regardless of class - his biggest opponent this weekend might be the scale.
Kaden Taylor and Anson Young are both talented, but are several steps behind Swann
Dontavious Perry and Artavus Hughes are the only other returning SQ’s in the bracket
Keep an eye on the Ladewig vs. Hurd first round matchup
113 lbs.
The Field:
Chris Phillips (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 1st
Bryan Ruiz (Southeast Whitfield) - Section A 2nd
Thomas Young (Sonoraville) - Section A 3rd
Jonathan Arehart (Heritage-Catoosa) - Section A 4th
Noah Arrington (Troup) - Section A 5th
Franklyn Brown (Burke County) - Section A 6th
Patrick Smyth (Lovett School) - Section B 1st
Kadin McDonald (Chestatee) - Section B 2nd
Zykhi Sistrunk (Perry) - Section B 3rd
Jayden Starley (West Laurens) - Section B 4th
Jayden Mateo (Stockbridge) - Section B 5th
BRODIE DRAKE (Madison County) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Chris Phillips (Central (Carroll))
Contenders:
Patrick Smyth (Lovett School)
Kadin McDonald (Chestatee)
Bryan Ruiz (Southeast Whitfield)
Darkhorse: Thomas Young (Sonoraville)
Bracketbuster: Jayden Mateo (Stockbridge)
Things to know:
We didn’t get a Phillips vs. Smyth matchup when Central Carroll and Lovett met at state duals, but both wrestled well last weekend and look like they are on a collision course
Phillips is a freshman, but posted 3 1st period falls to take the Section A title
Smyth was 3rd last year at 106 and beat both Sistrunk and McDonald handily to take the Section B title
Bryan Ruiz and Kadin McDonald were 6th last year at 106, Thomas Young was 6th at 113, and Sistrunk was a SQ
120 lbs.
The Field:
Olliver Webb (Southeast Whitfield) - Section A 1st
Noah Chastain (Sonoraville) - Section A 2nd
Jonderious Williams (Troup) - Section A 3rd
Colt Mitchell (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 4th
Jayden Leak (Wayne County HS) - Section A 5th
Ralph Conyers (Cairo) - Section A 6th
KYLE MADDOX (North Oconee) - Section B 1st
Deonte Smith (Druid Hills) - Section B 2nd
Jamarie Donovan (Hampton) - Section B 3rd
Cesar Thomas (Woodland (Stockbridge)) - Section B 4th
Elijah Booth (Walnut Grove) - Section B 5th
Na`Jwan Turner (Stockbridge) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Olliver Webb (Southeast Whitfield)
Contenders:
KYLE MADDOX (North Oconee)
Noah Chastain (Sonoraville)
Deonte Smith (Druid Hills)
Darkhorse: Jonderious Williams (Troup)
Bracketbuster: Jayden Leak (Wayne County HS)
Things to know:
Olli Webb was a State Champ 2 years ago, runner-up a year ago … he dominated on his way to the Section A title and is the favorite to climb back onto the top step this weekend
Kyle Maddox, a returning SQ, had 4 falls on his way to the Section B title
Noah Chastain was 4th at 106
Colt Mitchell and Deonte Smith are both returning SQ’s
126 lbs.
The Field:
Ty Murray (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 1st
Areli Celis (Southeast Whitfield) - Section A 2nd
Connor Desautels (Benedictine Military School) - Section A 3rd
Elijah Livingston (Trinity Christian) - Section A 4th
Josh Smith (Whitewater) - Section A 5th
LeTuan Howard (Bainbridge) - Section A 6th
Trae Couget (Johnson) - Section B 1st
Justice Vlahos (Walnut Grove) - Section B 2nd
BRODIE STRICKLAND (North Oconee) - Section B 3rd
Jordan Allen (Southwest Dekalb) - Section B 4th
Cristian Vaughter (McDonough) - Section B 5th
Ethan Meisinger (Holy Innocents Episcopal) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Ty Murray (Central (Carroll))
Contenders:
Trae Couget (Johnson)
Areli Celis (Southeast Whitfield)
Justice Vlahos (Walnut Grove)
Darkhorse: Connor Desautels (Benedictine Military School)
Bracketbuster: Josh Smith (Whitewater)
Things to know:
One of the best 126’s in the state regardless of class - Ty Murray is the heavy favorite to claim another state title this weekend
Trae Couget pinned his way to the Section B title
Josh Smith was 6th at 120 last year
Areli Celis and Elijah Livingston are both returning SQ’s
132 lbs.
The Field:
Adam Payton (Cedartown) - Section A 1st
Danny Krutules (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 2nd
Logan Moore (Sonoraville) - Section A 3rd
Ethan Williams (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 4th
Preston Strickland (Troup) - Section A 5th
Jacobi Rogers (Fayette Co.) - Section A 6th
Cael Kusky (Lovett School) - Section B 1st
Gus Martin (East Forsyth) - Section B 2nd
Blayson Jordan (Perry) - Section B 3rd
Robert Crim (Westminster Schools) - Section B 4th
WILL HARTLAGE (Madison County) - Section B 5th
Brandy Rangel-Mendoza (Walnut Grove) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Cael Kusky (Lovett School)
Contenders:
Adam Payton (Cedartown)
Danny Krutules (Central (Carroll))
Gus Martin (East Forsyth)
Darkhorse: Logan Moore (Sonoraville)
Bracketbuster: Preston Strickland (Troup)
Things to know:
As far as I know - Kusky and Payton have not met this season. If they have then the winner is obviously the favorite. Both have won multiple state titles and this has to be the featured final in 4A … assuming they both get there. Danny Krutules took Kusky to overtime and that’s a potential semifinal matchup so that could throw a wrench in the potential showdown.
138 lbs.
The Field:
Colson Hoffman (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 1st
Averett Ellison (Troup) - Section A 2nd
Brysen Bennett (Cedartown) - Section A 3rd
Layton Burris (Bainbridge) - Section A 4th
Kleiner Rodriguez (Westover School) - Section A 5th
Will Smith (Heritage-Catoosa) - Section A 6th
Ely Raines (Chestatee) - Section B 1st
Ezekiel Adams (Walnut Grove) - Section B 2nd
AARON DAVIS (North Oconee) - Section B 3rd
Logan Ramsey (West Laurens) - Section B 4th
Jackson Bailey (Westminster Schools) - Section B 5th
Will Vinci (Holy Innocents Episcopal) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Colson Hoffman (Central (Carroll))
Contenders:
Ely Raines (Chestatee)
Ezekiel Adams (Walnut Grove)
Averett Ellison (Troup)
Darkhorse: AARON DAVIS (North Oconee)
Bracketbuster: Jackson Bailey (Westminster Schools)
Things to know:
Raines was 3rd a year ago, Hoffman has been 2nd twice - both looked last week … it would be a surprise to not see the two of them in the finals.
Adams had to beat Davis a week ago - he will likely have to do it again to get a shot at Hoffman
144 lbs.
The Field:
Braydon Bowen (Troup) - Section A 1st
Holden Church (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 2nd
Ethan Donaldson (Cedartown) - Section A 3rd
Anthony Chacon (Southeast Whitfield) - Section A 4th
Jaden Walker (Heritage-Catoosa) - Section A 5th
Hayes Wilson, (Trinity Christian) - Section A 6th
Tristen Martin (Chestatee) - Section B 1st
Graham Dawkins (Walnut Grove) - Section B 2nd
JAKE HALL (North Oconee) - Section B 3rd
Tyrone Williams (Miller Grove) - Section B 4th
Miller Allen (East Forsyth) - Section B 5th
Steven Ramos (Mt Zion, Jonesboro) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Braydon Bowen (Troup)
Contenders:
Tristen Martin (Chestatee)
Graham Dawkins (Walnut Grove)
Holden Church (Central (Carroll))
Darkhorse: JAKE HALL (North Oconee)
Bracketbuster: Miller Allen (East Forsyth)
Things to know:
Interesting bracket with Bowen as the defending State Champ
Church, Martin, and Dawkins have all wrestled well this season and will look to stop Bowen from climbing to the top step again
150 lbs.
The Field:
William White (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 1st
Waylon Pemberton (Troup) - Section A 2nd
James Jackson (Bainbridge) - Section A 3rd
Nicholas Ramirez (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 4th
Braiden Thomas (Cedartown) - Section A 5th
Tyler Johnson (New Hampstead HS) - Section A 6th
Connor Free (North Hall) - Section B 1st
EhteeKaw SOE (Druid Hills) - Section B 2nd
Malik Colquitt (Southwest Dekalb) - Section B 3rd
Jamarion Rosser (Perry) - Section B 4th
Austin Beverly (Cherokee Bluff) - Section B 5th
Aaron Parkey (Luella) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Connor Free (North Hall)
Contenders:
William White (Central (Carroll))
Waylon Pemberton (Troup)
EhteeKaw SOE (Druid Hills)
Darkhorse: James Jackson (Bainbridge)
Bracketbuster: Austin Beverly (Cherokee Bluff)
Things to know:
Connor Free was 2nd at 144 a year ago and is the favorite after handling Section B last weekend
White was 2nd in area, but climbed through the section bracket to take the win 11-9 over Pemberton
Many of the Section A matches were close so you can expect some uncertainty with how things play out
Keep an eye on Beverly who was 6th at 138 a year ago
157 lbs.
The Field:
Xander Argentinis (Benedictine Military School) - Section A 1st
Holden McCullough (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 2nd
Colton Thomas (Trinity Christian) - Section A 3rd
Liam Ruppert (Starr`s Mill) - Section A 4th
Mason Boykin (LaGrange) - Section A 5th
Caiden Shope (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 6th
JT Bowers (West Laurens) - Section B 1st
Angel Garduno (Chestatee) - Section B 2nd
Zeb Dawkins (Walnut Grove) - Section B 3rd
TOBY HOUSE (Madison County) - Section B 4th
Dylan Hirokawa (Pace Academy) - Section B 5th
Badesire Lubala (Stephenson) - Section B 6th
Favorite: JT Bowers (West Laurens)
Contenders:
Xander Argentinis (Benedictine Military School)
Angel Garduno (Chestatee)
Holden McCullough (Northwest Whitfield High)
Darkhorse: Zeb Dawkins (Walnut Grove)
Bracketbuster: Dylan Hirokawa (Pace Academy)
Things to know:
Bowen is the returning 150 lb. State Champion, but a march to the top step again isn’t a foregone conclusion
Both Dawkins and Garduno gave him a match at sectionals and Argentinis is the Section B champ and a returning SQ
Garduno v. Dawkins quarters is one to watch - hard to think of Dawkins as a darkhorse given that he is a returning state runner-up to Bowers, but he finished 3rd at setionals
165 lbs.
The Field:
Tim Dunn (Troup) - Section A 1st
Trent Gormady (Hardaway) - Section A 2nd
Andrew Sheffield (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 3rd
Tyrell Hiers (Burke County) - Section A 4th
Owen Dixon (Starr`s Mill) - Section A 5th
Grayson Dalman (Whitewater) - Section A 6th
Jackson Moffit (East Forsyth) - Section B 1st
Parker Carlton (North Hall) - Section B 2nd
Mathew Gibbs (West Laurens) - Section B 3rd
Brian Pitts (Southwest Dekalb) - Section B 4th
Christian Middleton-Perez (Walnut Grove) - Section B 5th
Victor Martinez (Mt Zion, Jonesboro) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Tim Dunn (Troup)
Contenders:
Jackson Moffit (East Forsyth)
Trent Gormady (Hardaway)
Parker Carlton (North Hall)
Darkhorse: Andrew Sheffield (Central (Carroll))
Bracketbuster: Owen Dixon (Starr`s Mill)
Things to know:
Dunn is a returning runner-up (157), Moffit was 4th at 157 … both dominated their sections and look to be on track for a showdown in the finals
That said - Gormady, Sheffield, Carlton, Gibbs, etc. are tough and have state tournament experience
Watch the two middle quarters - neither of the sections #2’s and #3’s saw each other last week at sectionals (both 3’s lost to the eventual champ in the semis)
175 lbs.
The Field:
Skylar Grant (Heritage-Catoosa) - Section A 1st
Matt Phillips (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 2nd
Daniel Soto (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 3rd
Tyrese Virgo (New Hampstead HS) - Section A 4th
Kyan Wilcher (Whitewater) - Section A 5th
Joshua Arroyo (Burke County) - Section A 6th
Chris Mance (Lovett School) - Section B 1st
Adrian Reyes (East Forsyth) - Section B 2nd
Bryant Barnes (Chestatee) - Section B 3rd
Jayden Watkins (West Laurens) - Section B 4th
Jaylen Mcilrath (Perry) - Section B 5th
Phillip Griffin (Holy Innocents Episcopal) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Chris Mance (Lovett School)
Contenders:
Skylar Grant (Heritage-Catoosa)
Matt Phillips (Central (Carroll))
Adrian Reyes (East Forsyth)
Darkhorse: Daniel Soto (Northwest Whitfield High)
Bracketbuster: Jaylen Mcilrath (Perry)
Things to know:
Another weight where the section champs are returning placers - in the case of Mance a returning State Champ - and both dominated their sections
Grant was 6th at 165 last year and has looked great all season, but he likely have to beat returning Champ Mance to claim the title
Phillips and Soto had a great battle in the semis last week in Section A - a 7-6 Phillips win and that looks like a match we could see in the quarters this week
190 lbs.
The Field:
Evan Wingrove (Heritage-Catoosa) - Section A 1st
Tony Burnecke (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 2nd
Trinton Parker (Sonoraville) - Section A 3rd
Brandon Lively (Burke County) - Section A 4th
Austin Anderson (Whitewater) - Section A 5th
Bradley Marshburn (Bainbridge) - Section A 6th
Ezekiel Harris (North Hall) - Section B 1st
Will Moore (Pace Academy) - Section B 2nd
NOLAN BLOOM (North Oconee) - Section B 3rd
Hayden Sullens (Chestatee) - Section B 4th
Nick Morgan (Holy Innocents Episcopal) - Section B 5th
Justin Busby (Hampton) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Evan Wingrove (Heritage-Catoosa)
Contenders:
Ezekiel Harris (North Hall)
Tony Burnecke (Northwest Whitfield High)
Will Moore (Pace Academy)
Darkhorse: NOLAN BLOOM (North Oconee)
Bracketbuster: Nick Morgan (Holy Innocents Episcopal)
Things to know:
Tough to pick a favorite here … Evan Wingrove was 2nd at 175 last year and Harris was 3rd. Both looked great on their way to a section title last weekend
Nick Morgan, 3rd at 165 last year, is an easy pick for the bracketbuster - definitely someone to watch
215 lbs.
The Field:
Joseph Morales (Southeast Whitfield) - Section A 1st
Zane Taliaferro (Troup) - Section A 2nd
Landon Phillips (Northwest Whitfield High) - Section A 3rd
Dawsyn Sikes (Wayne County HS) - Section A 4th
Ty Brewer (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 5th
Branson Mathews (Sonoraville) - Section A 6th
Isaiah Scott (Southwest Dekalb) - Section B 1st
Kade Hawthorne (North Hall) - Section B 2nd
Romando Craddock (Stephenson) - Section B 3rd
Kieran Boland (Lovett School) - Section B 4th
Bryson Putnam (Stockbridge) - Section B 5th
Cornell Armstrong (Luella) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Isaiah Scott (Southwest Dekalb)
Contenders:
Joseph Morales (Southeast Whitfield)
Kade Hawthorne (North Hall)
Zane Taliaferro (Troup)
Darkhorse: Romando Craddock (Stephenson)
Bracketbuster: Bryson Putnam (Stockbridge)
Things to know:
Isaiah Scott is the defending state champ at the weight and is the clear favorite to make it two in a row
Morales won Section B with 2 falls, but also a close 9-7 decision in the quarters
Kade Hawthorne is a returning SQ and could cause chaos on the top side of the bracket, but he will have to beat Craddock, also a returning SQ, again in the quarters
285 lbs.
The Field:
Kaleb Disharoon (Central (Carroll)) - Section A 1st
Da`Various Jessie (Hardaway) - Section A 2nd
Noah Underwood (Whitewater) - Section A 3rd
Veunte Gross (Burke County) - Section A 4th
Timothy Scott (Riverdale) - Section A 5th
Kameron Cody (Benedictine Military School) - Section A 6th
Guillermo Rosales (Johnson) - Section B 1st
Amir Ferguson (Southwest Dekalb) - Section B 2nd
Andre Battle (Mt Zion, Jonesboro) - Section B 3rd
Kamden Merritt (North Hall) - Section B 4th
Donovan Funsch (Perry) - Section B 5th
Da`jour Jones (Stockbridge) - Section B 6th
Favorite: Kaleb Disharoon (Central (Carroll))
Contenders:
Guillermo Rosales (Johnson)
Amir Ferguson (Southwest Dekalb)
Da`Various Jessie (Hardaway)
Darkhorse: Andre Battle (Mt Zion, Jonesboro)
Bracketbuster: Donovan Funsch (Perry)
Things to know:
Hard to pick a favorite between Disharoon and Rosales - don’t know if they have faced one another this year or not and obviously if they have then that wrestler should be the favorite
Still this weight could be the wild west … Disharoon looked great in winning Section A, but he could pull a tough Donovan Funsch in the quarters … Funsch is the highest returning placer at the weight (4th in 2023) - Funsch lost to Rosales 5-4 in the semis last week and then lost to fellow placer Andre Battle as he worked through the backside from an early loss