"The team is anchored by Micah Ward, Kevin Bailey, and Rhett Devane," stated Varsity Coach Kasey Hanley.
"We have some promising talent that is advancing pretty quickly. The team's record is 3-1, and most tournaments have been individual. We picked up wins over Habersham, Gainesville, and Madison in duals."
Hanley also added the team has several promising wrestlers, such as Kylar Alexander and Brayden Patrick.
The team's roster includes Kevin Bailey, Joshua Camp, Nathan Cote, Bobby Lomax, Brayden Patrick, Micah Ward, Cobey Ward, Brent Adams, Langston Brooks, Chandler Brown, Holden Cruce, Rylee Hebb, Jayden Lee, Megan Martin, Kyler Alexander, Colton Bishop, Luke Downey, Jesse Gibson, Dawson Hunnicut, Jack Irvin, and Blake Molway.
7th grader Rhett Devane currently has eight wins in his season.
"Wrestling not only helps me on the mat but also helps me in the classroom with my mindset and mentality. It also helps with confidence, patience, and discipline. If you stay positive and give everything you got, it gets you places.", said Davine.
Patrick, a three-sport athlete and 8th grader, commented, "I love how wrestling is like a family. We all have each other's back. Our role as 8th graders is to work hard to help everyone on the team."
"Playing a sport allows me to meet people and make friends, and when you win a match, it is like winning the lottery.", Patrick added.
Kyler Alexander, one of the team's 6th graders, stated he has enjoyed being a part of the wrestling program this season.
"My teammates encourage me every practice, and I always look forward to it. I wouldn't say I like running, but when we do live wrestling, that is when it gets fun. Wrestling teaches you so many things, and you have to have discipline. If you don't do the things in the classroom, it affects the whole team.". he added.
The middle school also joins the varsity wrestling for practices and often uses the team's energy to motivate them.
"We look up to the varsity players. We want to be like them; Angel Cruz is one of our role models. We watch their moves to become better wrestlers", said DeVane and Patrick.
"Coach Hanley and Gardner are the best coaches, and we have learned so much from them," stated Alexander.
The team also receives help from Coach Kip Burt from Banks County Middle School.
"It is fun to watch these boys wrestle, it is great competition, and Coach Hanley and Coach Garner do a phenomenal job with them," said Burt.
Randy Crump Photos