The Apalachee High School wrestling team finished third at the East Metro Duals Saturday after finishing 4-1.
Coach Jim Stoudenmire’s team defeated Jackson, Lakeside DeKalb, Jonesboro and Winder-Barrow. The only setback of the day came against Heritage in a match where AHS forfeited four weight classes.
“We wrestled well,” Stoudenmire said.
The match against Heritage was for third place. The Patriots are also a member of Area 8-AAAAA with AHS and WBHS.
“They are probably third right now behind Clarke Central and Loganville,” Stoudenmire said. “But there’s really not a nickel’s worth of difference between them. I was pleased with how we wrestled against Heritage. You can also throw Flowery Branch in the mix. We just have a very tough area.”
The Mat Wildcats are continuing to deal with a few holes in the lineup.
“By area duals, we hope to have all of the weight classes filled except 113,” Stoudenmire said. “We may not get anyone there all season. Right now we are giving away 30 points before we step on the mat. In the weight classes we are competing in, we are winning seven or eight each time. However, that doesn’t leave you much room for error when you give up so many points.”
The East Metro Duals is a fixture each year.
“It was a great tournament,” Stoudenmire said. “As soon as one match was over, you were back at it again. It is a good one for us to compete in. It was the first time this season we had a chance to go head-to-head with Winder-Barrow and Heritage.”
The Mat Wildcats will compete at the Winder-Barrow High School George Thompson Memorial Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
