Trion places 4th at Class A duals

“I’m just really proud of our guys. We are a very young team with a few veterans in the lineup. I think a lot of people counted us out after losing so many seniors the last few years, but our kids worked very hard for this accomplishment.” — TRION COACH ERIC BROCK

Trion was the only area wrestling program that placed at this year’s GHSA state duals, finishing fourth in Class A on Saturday at Heard County.

The Bulldogs, who had rolled through the first two rounds Friday, lost to 2023 champion Mount Pisgah 42-39 in the semifinal round after holding a 39-38 lead heading into the final bout. Mount Pisgah’s Tyler Prinzo registered a pin at 106 pounds to turn the dual around.

Trion defeated Heard County 45-33 in the consolation semifinals before falling to Commerce 58-17 in the thirdplace match.

“I’m just really proud of our guys,” said Trion coach Eric Brock, whose team won state duals titles in 2020 and 2022. “We are a very young team with a few veterans in the lineup. I think a lot of people counted us out after losing so many seniors the last few years, but our kids worked very hard for this accomplishment.”

Also in Class A, Dade County won its first consolation match 60-18 over McIntosh Academy after going 1-1 on Friday. The Wolverines, though, lost to Heard County 42-30 in the consolation semifinals.

Social Circle won the Class A title, 55-12 over Mount Pisgah.

In Class AAAA, Northwest Whitfield went 0-2 Saturday after winning its first two matches Friday. The Bruins fell 51-25 to North Hall before being edged by Chestatee 34-31 in a consolation semifinal.

Northwest’s Region 7 rival, Central-Carroll, earned its second consecutive duals championship with a 47-33 win over North Hall. Lovett downed Chestatee for third place.

In Class AAA, LaFayette began its day by downing Gilmer 36-38, eliminating the Bobcats after they had gone 15 consecutive years reaching at least the championship round. LaFayette, though, fell to Region 6 rival Coahulla Creek in the consolation quarterfinals, 45-27, and the Colts later lost to Morgan County in the consolation semifinals.

Host Lumpkin County upset 2023 champion Columbus 34-33 in the title dual, with Bremen topping Franklin County for third place.