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Members of the WCHS wrestling team show off some of the hardware the team won during the Granite City Scramble last weekend in Elberton. Shown are, front, Bryson Ravan; standing from left, Tyler Long, WCHS head coach Patrick Lowendick, Caden Autry, Gunner Young, Mason Autry, Aiden Pickett, and Ashton Pickett. (Photo/WCHS Wrestling)
The White County Warriors hit the mat for the first time this season, winning the Granite City Scramble, a traditional tournament at Elbert County High School.
The Warriors managed to earn the top spot in the tournament without a full roster as several key members of the team have yet to join the team with football season just ending.
“We had a good showing,” WCHS head coach Patrick Lowendick said. “Midway way through the tournament, I wasn't sure we'd be able to hold off Elbert and North Hall. Elbert is good, and North Hall is usually very good. All of the teams had some guy missing, and we did too, but it was a good start for us. We have a goal of getting better every day, so that's what we are working for.”
The Warriors relied on some young wrestlers during the tournament, winning two weight classes and finishing second in six other classes.
“We've got a lot of young guys, but they all have been wrestling for a few years,” Lowendick said. “We've got the middle school program back up, and we are starting to reap some success because of it. The young guys are trying to figure things out and they are going to factor in at the end of the season.”
Davin Lightsey and Caden Autry both won individual titles.
Lightsey, a freshman, won the 113-pound class, while Autry, a sophomore, won the 126-pound division.
Freshmen Aiden Pickett was second at 106 pounds, while freshman Mason Autry, Caden's younger brother, was second at 138-pounds. Sophomore Christian Keheley was second in the 145-pound class, and freshman Gunner Young was second at 220 pounds.
White County junior Sidney Sullens, a 2020 state champion at the Girls All-Classification tournament, and freshman Ollie Weiland both made their way through the tournament's mostly male lineup to post a pair of second place finishes.
Sullens was second in the 160-division, while Weiland posted a second place finish at 120-pounds in her varsity debut.
“Sidney wrestled really well, and Ollie had a pin in her first match in about 15 seconds,” Lowendick said.
The WCHS squad competed at the Dawson Duals on Tuesday, but due to early deadlines, the tournament results were unavailable at press time.
On Saturday, the Warriors varsity, junior varsity and girl's team will all compete in a traditional tournament at North Hall, with the first matches set to begin at 9 a.m.