The Putnam County girls wrestling team recently made program history by winning its first area duals title.
The Lady War Eagles have 22 teams in their area but came out on top at the tournament on Jan. 10, defeating defending champion Oglethorpe County in the finals. They also defeated Burke County on the way to the finals.
Putnam head coach Joe Hutsell was proud of his female grapplers for competing at a high rate this season and reaping the benefits of their hard work.
“It was a great accomplishment to win a team duals title,” Hutsell said. “Wrestling has 14 weight classes, so to be at a small school that is still trying to grow, it speaks volumes to have enough girls to not only fill a lineup, but also compete with the best programs in the state.”
Throughout the season, the Putnam girls have been led by sophomore Lily Armistead, who has a team-best 33-3 individual record. She is a top-eight wrestler in her weight class for the entire state.
Juniors Ashyln Fuller and Michelle Hernandez have also been tough competitors for the Lady War Eagles this season, along with senior Jade Mullis.
Hutsell said that the core group performed well at the area duals tournament and has also helped carry the team this season. He also mentioned a few other wrestlers who have helped the team succeed.
“The core group of girls has been together for four years,” the head coach of the Lady War Eagles said. “Lily, Michelle, Ashlyn, and junior Kannericka Nelson have all wrestled for Putnam since middle school, and Jade has been with us since ninth grade. We currently have two seniors (Mullis and Janiyah Ward) who will be tough to replace, but we have a good nucleus with a lot of experience and leadership returning next year.”
By winning the area duals title, Putnam hosted the GHSA state preliminary duals, dubbed the “Sweet 16,” on Jan. 15. The Lady War Eagles faced Gilmer County, which came out on top and advanced to the state finals.
Even with the loss, the season isn’t over for Putnam.
“We now turn our focus to the individual portion of the season, which is tough because the GHSA doesn’t have a classification system for the individual portion,” Hutsell said. “Our area tournament will have 50-plus teams, and only the top four at each weight class will move onto the sectionals tournament.”
Putnam’s girls closed out the regular season this week by competing in tournaments at Oglethorpe County and Harris County. The girls’ individual area tournament will be held at Locust Grove on Jan. 31.
Last season, the Lady War Eagles sent two wrestlers — Armistead and Nelson – and they made it to the round of eight in their respective weight classes.
Hutsell hopes the team can send a couple of wrestlers to the traditionals state tournament in Clayton County in mid-February.