Spartans Wrestling - 3rd at State Duals

From The New Southern Grappler:

Class AA – Banks and GAC Upset Favorites to Battle in Conso Finals

LYONS, Georgia – The Jefferson/Sonoraville issue had been settled a week ago, and the result was a forgone conclusion, with the Dragons winning again 37-18. The real entertainment in 2A, however, was watching Banks County and Greater Atlanta Christian. Both were dark horse teams who had spent the season on the fringes of the rankings. Both were teams trying to earn the respect of their peers and the notice of the media. And both knew that to win that respect, you’ve got to beat good teams in big matches. While the Leopards dropped their opening match to Dublin, they refused to pack it in and go home. They battled back to upset #3 Toombs in the 2nd round consos, then they knocked off Spencer in the conso semis. GAC followed a similar track, upsetting favored Morgan County in the 2nd round consos and Lovett in the conso semis. In the final match, GAC prevailed 34-19, but each had made their mark and earned their measure of respect.

From myself to our wrestling parents, school community + administration:

Congratulations to the 2010-2011 Varsity Wrestling Team as they finished in 3rd Place at the 2011 State Duals Championships this past weekend in Toombs County, GA. The Spartans started the tournament on Friday night matched up with powerhouse and 2011 Traditional State Champs Jefferson.
After losing 55-9 the Spartans had a long day ahead of them on Saturday. The Spartans won 5 dual meets in a row on Saturday to bring home the 3rd place trophy. Up first was East Laurens. The Spartans defeated them 64-8.
Up next was Morgan County which came down to the final match with Zach Feuerbach (160) and Morgan’s Rector. They had just met in the semi-finals of the State Tournament last week and beating a talented opponent two times in a row is pretty tough. Feuerbach came home with a pin though and put the Spartans on top 38-33.
Our third dual of the day came from Cook County. The Spartans wrestled well and won 41-26.
In the Consolation Semi-finals, the Spartans were matched up with Area rival Lovett. The Spartans had never, in their 17 year history, beaten Lovett. This time the Spartans came home with a big win 40-24. One of the surprises came from Parker Fair (215) who scored an escape in the final overtime to beat the 189 State Champ from Lovett who had bumped up to wrestle Fair.
In the Consolation Finals to determine 3rd/4th place the Spartans had to wrestle a solid team in Banks County. Once again, your Spartans, after trailing early and winning several close matches brought home the 3rd place trophy by winning 40-19.
The Spartans ended their season 21-8, with a 10th Place finish at the Traditional State Tournament and 3rd Place finish at State Duals Tournament. By far, the best season in Spartan Wrestling history.
Having stand-out performances were Will Hemby (140), Caleb Bumpers (119), Parker Fair (215) and Jared Hemmings (171) who were all 5-1 for the weekend while Zach Feuerbach (160) went 6-0.

From the Gwinnett Daily Post:

GAC places third at state duals
Feb. 27 Gwinnett Daily Post
LYONS — After losing in the first round of the Class AA state duals, Greater Atlanta Christian battled back to finish third. The Spartans defeated Banks County 40-19 in the consolation finals at Toombs County on Saturday.

“We were one match away from losing to Morgan County and would have been top 12,” GAC coach Jeff Harsh said. “After we beat them, we thought we had a good shot.”

It was the first time GAC has qualified for the state duals in the 10-year history of the tournament. The Spartans made it a memorable tourney with a third-place trophy. After losing to state power Jefferson 55-9, who won the title for the 10th time, GAC reeled off five straight wins.

The Spartans defeated East Laurens 64-8, Morgan County 38-33, Cook County 41-26 and Lovett 40-24 to reach the consolation finals.

State runner-up Zach Feuerbach’s win at 160 pounds in the final match against Morgan County secured the win. The victory over Lovett was the first in school history over the Lions.

Feuerbach was undefeated at 6-0. Jared Hemmings, a state runner-up last week, was 5-1 along with Will Hemby and Caleb Bumpers.

“I’m really proud of the team,” Harsh said. “It wasn’t just one or two kids that did it for us. We are a much better dual team than traditional. It was a whole team effort.”

The third-place trophy caps an impressive year for the Spartans, who finished with a 21-8 record. GAC placed eighth at the Gwinnett County tournament, its highest finish ever. It also placed 10th at last week’s traditional state tournament after finishing 25th a year ago.

With all the success, GAC could be better next season. It only graduates one senior in Hemmings.

“We really exceeded our expectations this year,” Harsh said.