MACON — Tift County’s Javon Bateman placed for the second consecutive year Saturday at the state Class 6A wrestling tournament. Bateman earned fourth at the Macon Coliseum after advancing all the way to the semifinals a day earlier.

Bateman was third in 2024.

“Overall, I was proud of them,” said head coach Shawn Watson.

This year, Bateman breezed through his first two matches in the 157-pound division until running into Denmark’s Henry Marsden. Marsden earned a second-period pin late Friday, sending Bateman to the consolation side of the bracket.

“He caught us,” said Watson of Marsden’s pin.

Saturday, he won by pin over Camdyn Mitchell of Mill Creek. That put him in the consolation final against Connor Stephens of Carrollton, the same wrestler he beat in the second round on Friday.

Bateman scored first in the rematch, a reversal, but Stephens took the advantage on a takedown in the second period and got the fall.

“It’s hard to beat a state placer twice,” said Watson about having see Stephens for a second time in the same tournament.

Bateman was the only Tift wrestler to place, but Dawson McMillan came close to doing so as well.

Wrestling at 165, McMillan dropped his first match, but won twice in wrestlebacks, including defeating Colquitt County’s Russell Flowers 9-7 with a reversal in the last 10 seconds. A pin ended McMillan’s season in the next round.

McMillan had little luck against Flowers over the years. Until the consolation round. For McMillan to finally win, “I couldn’t ask for more,” said Watson.

All of Tift’s male wrestlers earned at least one win at state.

Bo Bryant and Steven Zheng joined Bateman in winning in the first round. Zheng was stung by Camden County’s Rod Zow in the second round and a pin put Bryant on the consolation side.

Watson said Bryant was caught in a tough spot, not aware he was so close to being pinned until it actually happened.

Region rivals ended the years of both Antron Johnson and Danny Freeman. Johnson dropped to Valdosta’s Marquavious Lane while Freeman was eliminated by Matthew Dillon of Colquitt.

Bateman, Johnson and McMillan all surpassed 100 wins this season. Watson said Johnson finishes his high school career with a 102-50 record and McMillan at 101-61.

Three of the four Lady Devils wrestling won their first round bouts.

Sadie Davis and Addison Braswell each pinned their opponents and Debraysia Doward won a 12-8 decision.

The second round derailed all three and none could pick a win in wrestlebacks. Doward almost made it to overtime in the second round, being pinned with 16 seconds remaining.

Zanyia Knight also competed for the Lady Devils. Her first loss was close, by a 15-11 score. “Zanyia gained some valuable experience,” said Watson.

Watson said six of his guys are to graduate this year: Freeman, Johnson, McMillan, Zheng, Tavon Wallace and Michael Dixon.

Usual dominators Camden County and Jefferson won their classifications this year. Watson said he sent thoughts and prayers to Jefferson’s Dominic Haines, who broke his neck in his second-round match. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday that after surgery Haines was beginning to regain feeling below his chest.