Mat Doggs debut in Top 10

“It shows we have made a positive impression on someone and that’s always good,” Austin said. “I’m pleased with where we are right now. We still have some things to work on, but it’s great to see their hard work paying off.”

The Mat Bulldoggs finished third at the Apalachee High School Wildcat Invitational Friday and Saturday. Clarke Central, a fellow member of Region 8-AAAAA, won the Wildcat Invitational. The Gladiators are currently ranked fourth in state while Loganville, another region member is ranked second.

Both Austin and AHS wrestling coach Jim Stoudenmire said before the 2012-2013 season began that Region 8-AAAAA would be a tough battleground this winter.

“We finished third at Apalachee and didn’t have a full lineup,” Austin said. “I’m not sure it would have made a difference in terms of us catching the teams in front of us, but you always like to be full strength.”

Austin is in his second season coaching the WBHS program. He is a former Mat Bulldogg wrestler himself.