Wolverines Compete in Armuchee Invitational Over Christmas Break
By EDDY GIFFORD
Sports Writer
Photo by Eddy Gifford – Colton Chase is one of the young wrestlers on this year’s squad who has shown improvement. The Wolverines look for several young wrestlers to step up as state competition nears.
The Dade County wrestling team competed in the Armuchee Invitational Tournament over the Christmas break. The tournament featured 24 teams and was completed over a two-day period.
Several Wolverines made the second day of competition, but only three wrestlers placed in the top six. Landon Williams placed second at 190 pounds, Jordan Casstellanos placed fourth at 215 pounds, and Gabriel Yarbrough placed fifth at 285 pounds.
Dade will head into area competition when school starts back. Area Duals will be Jan. 7, and the Wolverines are looking to make the post season for the fifth year in a row. The top four teams at Area Duals move on to sectionals.
“I think we have a great opportunity to be in the top four. We are extremely young, but we still have a shot. Trion is the only team that seems to be head and shoulders above everyone else right now. I think second place is anyone’s to take at this point,” coach Jeff Poston said.
Once the team portion ends, the Wolverines will begin looking to get individual kids qualified for state. The team returns two state champions in Landon Williams and Heidi Raines.
Casstellanos and Yarbrough have had strong seasons in their first year as starters, and both wrestlers have a good shot of making the trip to Macon. Gideon Moore was a state qualifier last season, and he has wrestled well for the Wolverines this season as well.
Brandon Willerson, a two time state qualifier, is looking to earn a trip to the medal stand this season.
Several young Wolverines have an outside shot as Anderson Windsor, Colton Chase, and Eli Mason have shown signs of growth.
Good luck to the Wolverines as state competition begins.