Bobcats Come Up Big on Senior Night

Fresh off winning the AAA State Duals Title, the Gilmer High School Bobcats wrestling team, hosted the last home duals of the season. The Fannin County High School Rebels, coached by Joshua Snider, son of Gilmer head wrestling coach, Sam Snider, and the Indians of Murray were the opponents. The Bobcats won both matches handily despite Snider using back ups most of the night, running roughshod over the Rebels, 73-6, and scalping the Indians, with a shut out 75-0 victory.The victories were secondary, to the honoring of the six senior Bobcats. Ben DeLoach, the starter at 182 lbs, an honor student with a 3.7 GPA, plans to attend GA College, and get a commission as an officer.

Justin Karr, has never failed a class, currently has a 3.0 GPA and plans to wrestle at Brewton Parker College and get a degree in Physical Therapy.

Michael Norman, holds a blue belt in Karate, plans to attend North Ga. College, and become a pilot in the Air Force while serving in the National Guard.

Sam Rogers, a 2011 state qualifier, and the second place finisher at the Creekview Invitational at 145 lbs, is an Advanced Placement student, who has been on the honor roll for three years. His future plans, are to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and go into youth ministry.

Austin Shedd, a four year wrestler in the Bobcats’ program, plans to attend Milledgeville ROTC College, with plans on becoming an officer.

Joey Ray, the recipient of the 2011 IDWIC Noah Harris Award for a Committiment to Excellence, won the Panther, Hardaway and Creekview Invitationals at 170 lbs. Ray entered the night with a 45-6 record for the year. Ray is a 12 year honor student, who has won Georgia Certificate of Merit, “awarded for superior scholastic endeavors through outstanding achievement through the first three years of high school”. Ray will attend Ga. Southern in the fall, with plans to en roll in the ROTC program, as well as medical school, and eventually serve in the army.