By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

The MCHS wrestling team placed first in the 1-AAA Area Duals in Pierce County last week, beating four teams and having seven wrestlers go 4-0 during the competition.
Morgan County outscored each team it faced by a wide margin, beginning with Savannah High School, who the Mat Dogs beat 69-12, and continuing on to beat Pierce County 57-18, Appling County 67-9, and Southeast Bulloch 76-4.
The members of the team that went 4-0 during the duals were Nathan Lundy, Jacob McAlister, Jack Leclair, Carter Shultz, Austin Ross, Stewart Spence, and Bailey Ross.
“I’m very proud of our young men,” said Coach John Robbins after the duals. “We didn’t get off to as quick a start as we’d hoped this year, but it seems like we are starting to peak at the perfect time. This past Friday in Blackshear was without a doubt our best outing yet.”
“This accomplishment marks the third consecutive Area Duals Championship,” said Coach Robbins. “Hopefully we will be able to follow that up in February with a fourth consecutive traditional Area Championship as well.”
The next event for the MCHS wrestling team is the State Duals this week at the Macon Centreplex.
Morgan County’s first scheduled competition will take place Friday morning, with a first-round dual against Oconee County.
“They are certainly a tough opponent and have the potential to win the entire championship,” began Coach Robbins. “We have seen them a few times, which is to our advantage, and defeated them 49-24 on December 4 in our Christmas Classic. They have, without a doubt, improved since then and will present a huge obstacle for us.”
Despite having considerable competition in the bracket Coach Robbins feels good about the team’s ability to perform well at State.
“I am filled with a combination of excitement and anxiousness, as our team has the ability to win the entire tournament for the first time in quite some time.”
Along with the schedule printed here, a full time schedule and bracket for the event can be found online at: http://www.ghsa.net/wrestling

AAA Region Events during the State Dual Meet Championships

Thursday
7-8 p.m.: Weigh-ins
Friday
8-9:45 a.m.: AAA (Top) Quarters
3-5 p.m.: AAA
Semifinals
7-9 p.m.: AAA First Round WBs
Saturday
9-11 a.m.: Consolation Semifinals
11 a.m.-1 p.m.:
Consolation Finals
3-5 p.m.: Finals – All Classes
Awards immediately follow

Printed in the January 10, 2013 edition