ONE down. One to go.
The first phase of Jefferson’s two-part state title defense is complete after the Dragons won an unprecedented 11th-consecutive traditional state title Saturday in Duluth at the Gwinnett Arena with 196.5 points.
Jefferson wrestler Forrest Przybysz offered his own take on the situation as the Dragons once again try to win both the traditional and duals titles in the same year.
“First of all, I’d like to start out with a quote: confidence is a stain that you can’t wear off,” quipped Przybysz, who won his second individual championship Saturday night. “It feels good, it’s great, but we’re just focusing on what’s next. We’ve got to focus on next week. It’s done. It’s great for about two hours, but we’re focusing on next week’s state duals.”
These confident Dragons — who edged out second-place Sonoraville by 19.5 points — will try to conquer the state duals next weekend at Toombs County and keep another unparalleled streak alive. Jefferson has won 10-straight duals titles.
“There ain’t no celebrating,” coach Doug Thurmond said. “We’ll celebrate tonight and tomorrow we’ll start worrying about the duals, because it’s going to be tough to beat them (Sonoraville) in the duals, especially now since they didn’t win this one. They’re going to try to salvage one, and we’re just going to cross that bridge next Friday and Saturday. It’s going to be tough, I promise you.”
Jefferson juniors Cain Finch (145-lb.) and Przybysz (171-lb.) both became two-time state champions with wins in their respective weight classes over the weekend in helping their school claim its 15th traditional state championship.
Elsewhere in the lineup, 10 Dragons placed at state and all 13 Jefferson wrestlers who qualified for state won at least one match.
“Our guys hung on,” Thurmond said. “One of the best things about it was that everybody we brought – all 13 – won at least a match. They were all able to have a part of it.”
Thurmond called this year’s tournament run Jefferson’s toughest since winning the first of its 11-title run back in 2001. The coach said he’s preached to his team that every point at state counts. This year’s state tournament backed-up that statement.
“They think some times that you’re kind of blowing smoke at them,” he said. “After a while, I think they started seeing how good Sonoraville was, and they were like ‘coach wasn’t lying.’”
Jefferson carried a slim lead over senior-laden Sonoraville — which qualified 14 wrestlers to the state tournament — into the finals Saturday night. But the Dragons clinched their usual spot on the winners’ podium after Przybysz’s and Finch’s victories.
“It feels good; it helps the team out – anything that helps the team out,” said Finch, who’d also defeated his finals opponent back in 2009 in the consolation semifinals.
Isaac Kelly and Jake Sherman were also state finalists, adding second-place finishes in the 119-lb. and 152-lb. weight classes respectively. Kyle Kashua (103-lb.), Josh Harris (112-lb.) Jack Dollar (135-lb.) and Zach Allen (215-lb.) all placed third. Cason Thurmond (125-lb.), a three-time champion, and Clay Richardson (130-lb.) both finished fifth.
With the traditional state title streak now safe, returning wrestlers like Przybysz and Finch will be tasked with winning championship no. 12 next year. But there’s unfinished business at hand this season.
“We’ve just got to stay focused this week,” Finch said. “As long as everybody else is feeling good, we’ll get our 10th duals state title.”
Przybysz agreed that it’s been a long year but one that’s been worth it.
“It’s been a long season, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Przybysz said.
