Putnam County is sending three wrestlers to the traditionals state tournament in Macon later this week.
The War Eagles had Kaiden Bedley, Wyatt Sugs, Josh Grimes, Bryson Brown, and Zac Long wrestle at the Class A sectionals. The event took place this past Saturday at Social Circle High School.
Zac Long, a sophomore, was the only Putnam County boys wrestler to make it through the sectionals round. He placed eighth overall in the 215-pound weight division and is headed to Macon.
Putnam County wrestling coach Andy Rewis said Long is the team’s most consistent wrestler.
“He shows up to work and gets better every day,” Rewis said of Long. “It's really starting to pay off for him.”
Long will wrestle on Thursday at the Macon Coliseum for a chance at a state championship.
The Lady War Eagles had Lily Armistead, Michelle Hernandez, Ashlyn Fuller, and Kannerika Nelson compete at the Class A sectionals, which took place at Central Gwinnett High School this past Friday.
However, only Armistead and Nelson advanced to the state meet in Macon.
Amristead placed third in the 110-pound weight division and will represent Putnam County’s girls in Macon. Meanwhile, Nelson finished sixth in the 235-pound weight division and is also headed to state.
Rewis believes Armistead has what it takes to compete for a state title after a successful regular season.
“Lily is a ninth-grader with a tremendous future in front of her,” Rewis said. “She has already placed in several tournaments this season, and after a third-place finish in the sectionals, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if she made a strong push for the podium this weekend.”
Nelson qualified for the state meet last year, and according to her coach, she has all the ‘tools’ needed to succeed.
“Kannericka has all the tools to be really good,” Rewis said. “She was a state qualifier last year, and I think she's ready to show the steady improvement she's had all year.”
The two Lady War Eagles will compete on Friday with hopes of capturing a state title.