DESPITE 11 consecutive traditional state championships, Jefferson coach Doug Thurmond is plenty wary of the competition this week at the state tournament.
When asked if he felt good about going into the championships at Gwinnett Arena, the coach maintained guarded optimism.
“I don’t know if we feel good,” Thurmond said. “I’m sitting here looking at a lot of stuff right now. You can’t ever take anything for granted. I know if our guys wrestle to their ability, we’ve got a good shot.”
Jefferson has certainly put itself in a good position though after qualifying 13 wrestlers to state at sectionals this past weekend.
That total includes seven first-place finishers — Kyle Kashuba (113 lb.), Josh Harris (120 lb.), Marinelli (126 lb.), Isaac Kelly (132 lb.), Clay Richardson (138 lb.), Cain Finch (152 lb.), and Forrest Przybysz (182 lb.).
Click here for more on Przybysz and Finch.
Additionally, Jack Dollar (145 lb.), Jake Sherman (160 lb.) and Aaron Anderson (220 lb.) placed as runners-up.
“We would have liked to get a couple of them in a little better position, but, hey, you can’t fuss with seven no. 1s and three no. 2s,” Thurmond said. “That really helps when you’re going into state to have 10 no. 1 and 2s.”
Also heading to state are Chase Piperato (106 lb.) and Carson Newman (195-lb.), who both finished third, and Jace McColskey (170 lb.), who was fifth.
Thurmond said anything can happen at state.
“People have bad tournaments,” he said. “This just isn’t the time to have them right now.”
