Wrestling team sending seven to Sectionals

The LCHS varsity wrestling team had seven of its wrestlers advance one step closer to a possible State Championship title when the Indians participated in the Area Traditional tournament hosted at The Lovett School in Atlanta this past Saturday, Feb. 1.
Two-time defending State Champion Nolan Wheeler, defending State Champion Sam Irwin, Ethan Kline, Austin Garmany, Levi Seabolt, Jack Irwin and TJ Payne all placed fourth or higher at the event to advance to the upcoming Sectionals, the last event before the GHSA State Traditional Championship.
Wheeler, Irwin and Kline each grappled their ways to first place finishes at the day-long tournament.
Wheeler (160 pounds), looking primed and ready to vie for his third straight State Championship title, made short work of his opponents at the Area Traditional.
Irwin (182), who has been near unstoppable this season, also put in some solid work on the mat during the Area Traditional. After a first round bye, Irwin set down each of his opponents in the semifinals and the finals to earn the title of Area Champion.
Kline (195) enjoyed a stellar day on the mats as well, wrestling his way to an Area Traditional Champion title.
Seabolt (170), the number two ranked wrestler in his weight class in the state, began the day by overpowering his opponents, but fell short of an Area Traditional Championship title when he lost in the finals. Despite the loss, Seabolt’s runner-up performance was enough to advance him to the upcoming Sectionals.
Garmany, a recent transfer from Newman High School, battled his way through some serious competition in the heavyweight division, but was stopped short of an Area Traditional Championship title when he fell in the finals at the event. However, Garmany’s second place finish allowed him to secure a spot at Sectionals.
Jack Irwin earned a third place finish and TJ Payne earned a fourth place finish in their respective weight classes to advance to Sectionals as well.
Just missing out of advancing to Sectionals were Lumpkin wrestlers Trevor Coryell and Colten Foster. Coryell finished one spot out of advancing with a fifth place finish and Foster missed advancing to Sectionals by two spots with a sixth place finish.
The success that the team enjoyed at the Area Traditional tournament allowed Lumpkin to earn a fourth place team finish at the event.
LCHS head wrestling coach Sean Hage was pleased with the way his wrestlers held their own during the Area Traditional and expects that each of the seven wrestlers to advance to Sectionals will have a good shot at making the GHSA State Traditional Championship to be held in Macon.
The seven Indian wrestlers will have their opportunity to secure a spot at State when they take part in Sectionals hosted by South Forsyth High School this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8.