Nine Tift wrestlers head to state

Published 9:00 am Tuesday, February 14, 2023

TIFTON — Nine Tift County Mat Devils will get their shot at state glory this week as the annual girls and boys tournaments take place in Macon.

A schedule from the Georgia High School Association has Class 6A’s boys on the mats Feb. 16, wrestling through the semifinals in the main bracket and in the “wrestleback” bracket. Girls will follow the same schedule Feb. 17, with 6A wrapping up that afternoon. Girls finals will be Feb. 18.

Donterrius Whitaker had the best finish at sectionals, placing 2nd in the Class 6A 150-pound bracket. According to results on Track Wrestling, Whitaker blitzed through his first three rounds, though his semifinal match went to overtime. In the finals, he fell 6-1 to Pope’s Aidan Karpinski, who is undefeated for the season.

For his efforts, Whitaker earned a first round bye at state.

Tift had one wrestler place 4th, four place 5th and three place 6th. The top six advanced to state out of each weight class.

Damion Moate (175 pounds) earned 4th place after having to forfeit his final match at sectionals. Dawson McMillan (157), Danny Freeman (1965), Michael Dixon (190) and Abraham Soto (215) all earned 5th.

Dixon continued his amazing run that began at region. He won an upset overtime match to begin the tournament, then advanced to the semifinals on a pin. That was enough to qualify him for state, with him winning the 5th place match 3-2.

Soto had a 4-3 third period comeback to stay alive in the bracket. His 5th place win was a major decision, 11-1. McMillan won four matches by pins. Freeman had a sudden death win as well.

Addison Braswell, Samantha Vicards and Caden Bowyer all go to state after placing 6th.

Two of Bowyer’s pins came in less than a minute, according to Track’s brackets. He won a major decision as well.

Vicars had three pinfalls and Braswell had two.

Barely missing out on making the finals were Antron Johnson and Austin King, who placed 7th and 8th, respectively, at sectionals.

Seventeen wrestlers competed at sectionals over the weekend at Upson-Lee and Johns Creek. Abigale Barnes, Hayden Masterson, Sergio Martinez, Daniel Soto, Javon Bateman and Mori Alexander made up the rest of Tift’s roster competing.

Those unable to go to Macon but wanting to follow action live can do so via mostly text updates on Track Wrestling or they can subscribe to NFHS Network for live video.