Bollinger fights way to state wrestling semis

A portion of Rome area wrestlers began their journey through the Georgia High School Association traditional state finals Thursday, with a few finding quick success.

In the Class AAA brackets, Pepperell’s Hinton Bollinger fought his way through the two opening rounds and came out with a spot in tonight’s 285pound semifinals.

Bollinger defeated Jackson County’s Stephen King 6-3 in his first match. He then came out the winner in his quarterfinal bout with Dodge County’s Aaron Spires with a 4- 3 score after winning the tiebreaker.

The junior will take on Ringgold’s Enrique Maravilla in the semifinals.

Rockmart also had some good news Thursday as the Jackets had four wrestlers advance to the semifinals.

Rockmart’s Truett Bowman defeated Elbert County’s Martrez Huff by technical fall at 113 pounds and then advanced to tonight’s semifinals due to a disqualification.

Teammate Devin Darden followed suit at 132 pounds as the Rockmart wrestler won his first match by technical fall and then won his quarterfinal match by fall.

At 182, Rockmart’s James Copeland won by forfeit in the opening round before defeating East Hall’s Kevin Thompson with a pin in the opening period to advance to the semifinals.

Draven Smith rounded out the day for the Jackets by winning both of his 220- pound matches by pins to advance to the semifinals.

At 113 pounds, Pepperell’s Brice Wade lost in his first bout as Toombs County’s Ricardo Santana won by an 8-7 decision. He’ll be back at it today in the wrestlebacks.

Pepperell senior Jacob Smith fell to Toombs County’s Carson Roberts by a 4-0 decision to be put in the wrestlebacks, while the Dragons’ Jake Ross ( 160) and Bryce Eickleberry ( 182) also lost in the first round.

Both Pepperell’s Jaxon Croy and Rockmart’s A.J. Streetman lost their opening matches at 126 pounds by fall, Cedartown’s Keshawn Kent lost by a 12-6 decision to Jacob Love of Jackson County.

Rome High freshman Ivan Arguello wrestled Bailey Anderson of Richmond Hill in the opening round of the 106-pound division and lost by pin. He’ll return to the mat this morning to face Josh Speight of Lanier in the first round of wrestlebacks.

In other action:

Soccer: Rome girls 2,

Alexander 2

Rebeckah Hufstetler scored Rome’s only goals and keeper Beth Ferguson had 14 saves as the Lady Wolves tied Alexander 2- 2 on Thursday on the road.

Rome ( 0- 0- 1) will host Carrollton on Tuesday at 7: 30 p. m. at Barron Stadium.