The Jr. Grappling Indians seem to be peaking at just the right time in preparation for the GA Kids State Championships.
Recently, thirteen Indians traveled to the southern most state qualifier tournament in Toombs County to earn a chance at taking on the best of the best in Georgia wrestling. In the morning session, nine of eleven wrestlers earned places allowing them to advance to state.
Winning Gold medals were Joshua Rogers, 6U, 55 pounds; Vincent Mannella, 8U, 57 pounds; Aiden Greer, 10U, 64 pounds; and Christian Grauberger, 10U, 73 pounds.
Each of these wrestlers earned a seeded placement in the state tournament 2-4-man bracket. Based on a nine step seeding criteria, Vincent Mannella became the first Dodge County Wrestler at any age group to earn a first place seed in the state bracket. He is expected to make a serious run at a state champion title.
Earning a second seeded spot, Aiden Greer, hopes to battle to the state finals where he’s expected to square off with a returning state champion and national champion from North Georgia.
Joshua Rogers was seeded fourth and is nicely positioned against wrestlers he has beaten previously.
Earning the five seeded spot, Christian Grauberger arguably will battle it out in the toughest bracket of all the Dodge wrestlers. He’ll be facing a returning state placer before moving to take on a returning state champion.
Also earning a trip to the Little Kids State Tournament were Anthony Mannella, 6U, 49 pounds; Porter Faulk, 6U, 65 pounds; Crosse Bearden, 10U, 64 pounds; James Rogers, 10U, 76 pounds; and Ty Belflower, 10U, 100 pounds. In the afternoon session, two of Dodge County’s Middle School Grappling Warriors also advanced to the Big Kids State Tournament in Fayetteville.
Earning a first place finish, Jacob Danforth, 12U, 95 pounds, rolled through his opponents with ease in a very competitive age group. His first place finish earned him a fourth seeded spot in the state bracket consisting of several returning state champions and state placers.
Winning a third place medal, Trey Mosely, 14U, 100 pounds, earned a trip to his first state wrestling tournament as a first year wrestler.
Also wrestling for the Indians were first year grapplers Clayton Scarborough, 10U, 70 pounds; and Heath Sanders, 8U, 60 pounds.
Both are first year wrestlers who have shown tremendous potential, mental and physical toughness, and excellent sportsmanship.
Members of the Junior Grappling Indians that attended the Georgia State Wrestling Qualifier tournament were Anthony Mannella, Porter Faulk, Heath Sanders, Joshua Rogers, Vincent Mannella, Clayton Scarborough, Aiden Greer, Crosse Bearden, Christian Grauberger, James Rogers and Ty Belflower.
