JEFFERSON continues to roll through its schedule with ease as it prepares for both the traditional postseason tournaments and the state duals simultaneously.
The Dragons — who wrestled their final dual matches Tuesday — moved to 32-0 in duals action over the weekend with a tournament win at Washington-Wilkes.
“We didn’t have some of our guys,” coach Doug Thurmond said. “So it was kind of helpful for us to go over there and wrestle a lot of different kids.”
Though the wins have been easy this winter for Jefferson, maintaining its starting lineup hasn’t. Wrestlers have been in and out of the lineup with sickness or injury. The hope is that Jefferson will have its full complement of starters by the time the postseason starts.
The traditional area tournament is next weekend (Feb. 4-5) at Jefferson, followed by the state sectionals (Feb. 11-12) and state championships Feb. 17-19.
The state duals have been tacked on to the end of the season Feb. 25-26 after they were cancelled last weekend due to winter weather conditions.
It’s not certain yet if the nine-time defending dual champions and 10-time defending traditional state champions will have all of their wrestlers back by next weekend.
“That’s a good question,” Thurmond said. “We should know by the beginning of next week. If not, we think we might have them back by the time the duals come around.”
Speaking of the duals, Jefferson won five more matches over the weekend in a tournament at Washington-Wilkes that was recently added to the schedule.
The Dragons breezed through the tournament with decisive wins over Burke County (76-3), Lakeside (Augusta) 69-6, Washington-Wilkes (62-18), Hephzibah (65-3) and Westside (67-6).
Those winning all five of their matches in the one-day tournament were Kyle Kashuba, Josh Harris, Cason Thurmond, Jack Dollar, Zach Rhymer, Caleb King, Cain Finch, Shaquille Maxey, Jace McColskey and Zach Allen.
Jefferson entered the tournament fresh off a 76-3 victory over Habersham Central last Tuesday (Jan. 19) on senior night.
The Dragons have had a dominant season so far in duals action but will have to wait until late February to defend their duals title.
“The main ones (duals matches) are coming up,” Thurmond said. “Maybe we can get them. That’s the ones we want.”
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