MORGAN COUNTY
Morgan County’s wrestling team had an impressive showing at the Area 4-AAA traditional tournament on Feb. 3.
The Mat Dogs hosted the Academy of Richmond County, Salem, Harlem, Hephzibah, and Cross Creek, but blew away their competition. They qualified 13 wrestlers – in different weight classes – for sectionals next week.
Morgan County wrestling head coach Duane Turner emphasized how well his guys did at the home area meet.
“We just won the area traditional championship. We had 13 placers out of the 14 weight classes, which is great for us,” Turner said. “That 13 included 10 champions and two runner-ups with one third-place finisher as well. Overall, as a team, we did really well. Anytime you’ve got 12 in the finals, that’s a good thing.”
Miles Butler (113), Chase Scherer (120), Dylan Smith (126), Paul Bessette (132), Omar Hayes (138), Judson Carter (150), Kaleo Willcoxson (175), Christopher Morgan (190), Caleb Turner (215), and Jamari Mundy (286) were all champions. Scherer and Turner also won their fourth consecutive individual region title.
Turner highlighted how great it was to see Scherer and his son, Caleb Turner, win another region title.
“It shows how hard they’ve worked for the past four years,” Turner said. “They became four-time area champions. Paul Bessette also got his 100th career win. All those things happened on Saturday. It was great to see.”
Jarrett Standard (106, second), Evan Johnson (144, third), and Tripp Davis (165, second) were the other Mat Dog grapplers to place at the area's traditional meet. They each also have a shot to advance to state this weekend.
Now, Morgan County moves on to the sectional round of the Class AAA individual tournament format. It will be held in Dalton at Coahulla Creek High School, where the top six from each weight class will move on.
The traditional state finals for all GHSA classifications will then take place in Macon from Feb. 14-18.
The Mat Dogs hope to send all of their wrestlers who qualified for sectionals this past Saturday to Macon next week. They have a great chance for several individuals to bring home state championships back to Madison.
Turner knows his team has a chance to do that this weekend at Coahulla Creek.
“We’ve got a great shot,” Turner said. “I am looking forward to seeing what we can do this week in Dalton.”