Bulloch Academy

Gators impress in individual region meet

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            Three region champions, four region runners-up and 10 entries into the state tournament.

            Not bad for a Saturday morning of intense work for Bulloch Academy’s wrestlers in the GISA Region 3-AAA individual wrestling tournament.

            “I was very pleased with the performances of my guys,” said BA wrestling coach Andy Tomlin. “There were some great matches and the tournament went very smoothly. Our region is without a doubt the best region in the state. Last year, we (Region 3) had at least one and sometimes two wrestlers in the championship matches.”

            Grapplers from Bulloch, David Emanuel, Trinity Christian, Robert Toombs and Windsor Academy squared off on two mats in the humid Gator gymnasium. At stake were region bragging rights and the chance to advance to the state individual tournament. The top four in each weight classification will meet the top four from the other three regions next Friday and Saturday in the state championships at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.

            Bulloch’s three region champions were eighth grader John Gowan, in the 103-pound division, senior Michael Deloach, at 152 pounds, and senior Nathan Brown, at 189 pounds.

            “Gowan is an eighth-grade phenom,” said Tomlin. “He is just a first-year wrestler. Now, he’s a region champion. Deloach, also a first-year wrestler, beat a guy in the championship match who beat him last Monday in the team championships. He used the revenge factor. Brown just beat up on people today. He has a very good shot at winning a state championship.”

            The cat-quick Gowan won with a first-period pin while Brown won with a pin in the second period. Deloach battled his opponent all three two-minute periods and won 6-1.

            Four other Gators were entered into the championship matches but had to settle for second place. Those were freshman Austin Mock (119), senior Eli Strickland (160), senior David Poole (171) and senior Matt Simons (285). Mock was pinned in the second period, Strickland lost by major decision and both Poole and Simons lost by minor decision.

            Third-place medals went to senior Taylor Lanier (145), sophomore Blaine Lovett (112) and eighth grader Lexton Womack (140).

            All ten Gators advance to the GISA state individual wrestling championships next Friday and Saturday at the New South Arena at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.