The Putnam County wrestling program wrapped up the 2025-26 season this past weekend at the GHSA state traditionals tournament at The Arena at Southlake in Morrow.
Between both the boys and girls teams, Putnam sent five grapplers to the state tournament.
Lily Armistead, Ashlyn Fuller, Kannericka Nelson, Zaccariah Long, and Joe Ward all competed hard, but none placed at the meet.
At the state tournament, Armistead went 2–2 overall and finished in the top eight for the second consecutive year.
Fuller was 0–2, Nelson went 1–2, and on the boys’ side, Long finished 0–2 while Ward went 1–2.
Putnam head coach Joe Hutsell was disappointed in the result but remained proud of his wrestlers.
“Honestly, we didn’t get to where we wanted to be. Our standard and goal is to win state championships, and we’re not going to pretend anything else was the goal,” Hutsell said. “But I’m proud of the work that happened in a season that’s brutal by design. Practices on days when there isn’t even school. Early mornings, while friends are still asleep and enjoying their break. Holidays that still had training scheduled.
“Cutting weight the right way. Long weekends in tournaments all over the state. Staying eligible so you can keep competing. That’s not normal… and that’s why wrestling builds something different.”
Hutsell mentioned that while the boys' team didn’t bring home a title this season, the girls made history.
“Our girls made history with the first area championship our school has ever had, and that matters because it shows what’s possible when a team buys in,” he said, noting that he hopes more girls come out next year for the team.
Hutsell acknowledged he’s ready to see what next year brings after an offseason of hard work.
“We’re not done,” he said. “We’re going to keep closing the gap on the ones standing on top of the podium.”