JCCHS sends seven grapplers to state

Other qualifiers included Izzy Carrillo-Garcia, who placed second in the 135 lb. category; Kevin Spicer, who placed third in the 152 lb. category; Jacob Hyder, who placed sixth in the 215 lb. category; Cole Meaders, who placed seventh in the 130 lb. category; Charles Smothers, who placed eighth in the 160 lb. category; and Tre’ Horton, who placed eight in the 125 lb. category.

“Kevin Spicer had a tough match in the semi-finals and lost in the closing seconds of the match, but he battled back to a three seed which helped him out at the state tournament this weekend,” Powers said.

“Izzy (Carillo-Garcia) wrestled really well and lost 3-1 to Knight of Oconee County in the finals.”

Powers said his team exceeded his hopes for the tournament.

“Going into this weekend I was hoping that we would have six qualify for the state tournament and we ended up with seven, so I am very happy with that,” Powers said.

“This week we are going to focus on individual strengths and weaknesses to help prepare the wrestlers for the state tournament.”

Powers said that Spicer has a tough draw at the state tournament and that there are about eight wrestlers that could win the tournament on any given weekend in his weight class.

“This should make the 152 lb. (class) a very exciting weight class to watch all weekend.”

For more on this story, see Wednsday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.