Local Wrestlers Win State Titles

It was a great weekend for the Toombs County High School and Vidalia High School wrestling teams as they competed in Macon at the Coliseum in the GHSA State Traditional Wrestling Tournament. The Bulldogs and Indians each had two State Champions, and several other placers over the weekend. Toombs also came away as the State Runner-up as a team behind Social Circle, 184.5- 132.

Toombs

The Bulldog brothers Walker and Wyatt Bunch went back-to-back as State Champions. Walker was on the mat first and claimed the State Title at 120lbs. He defeated Cohen Hargrove of Social Circle in the final by a decision of 10-5. His brother Wyatt followed that with a State Championship at 126lbs. Wyatt beat Elijah Karr of Bremen in the finals in a 9-2 decision.

Also placing for Toombs was Jahir Lopez, who took third place at 113lbs. in a close 3-2 decision over Cruz Floyd of Elbert County. Also finishing in third place was Lucas Coley at 165lbs., who won his match over Miles Mason of Oglethorpe County by pin. Tyson Brantly came in fourth place at 144lbs., and Lukas Young was 6th at 106lbs.

Vidalia

The Vidalia Indians also had two wrestlers come home with State Championships from the tournament in Macon and they also won their title in back-to-back matches at 175lbs. and at 190lbs.

Duece Hightower is now a back-to-back State Champion as he earned his title at 175lbs. Hightower won his Championship Match over Ryder Schaltenbrand of Mt. Paran Christian by an 8-1 decision.

Also winning his second State Championship in a row was Jack Godbee, who won his title at 190lbs. Godbee won in a thrilling match over Steele Brown from Mt. Pisgah Christian, scoring 8 points in the final 37 seconds of the match to win the State Championship. Godbee was trailing 5-2 with just 37 seconds left in the match before getting a reversal, and a couple of quick takedowns to win the match 10-7.

Toombs’Wyatt BunchPhoto by TCHS

Vidalia’s Jack GodbeePhoto by Pop-Pop’s Photos

Toombs’ Walker BunchPhoto by TCHS