The Gilmer Bobcats wrestling team took part in the state traditional tournament at the Gwinnet Arena Civic center. The Bobcats, looking to defend the traditional state title, as well as complete a sweep of both the state duals and traditional title for the third year in row, came up 11 points short, as the Heritage Generals finished with 139 total team points to Gilmer’s 128, making the Generals the AAA state traditional title. Gilmer’s, Cameron Perry, was the lone Bobcat to be crowned champion of his weight class, as he won the state championship for the 106 weight class. The Bobcats took nine wrestlers to the state tournament, and had three make the finals, the aforementioned Perry, Johnie Flakes at 138, and Joey Ray at 160.

Daniel Bautista and Justin Karr finished third at 113 and 120 respectively. Brady McCollum finished sixth at 126 and Ben DeLoach finished fifth at 182.

Assistant coach, David Henson, spoke briefly about the Bobcats’ performance.

“We came up a little bit short, but hey. We’re a young team won the state duals title and finished second in the traditional. No shame in that.”

The Bobcats headed into the finals needing all three Bobcats finalists to win and all five finalists from Heritage to lose, a long shot, that did not go in Gilmer’s favor. Heritage had 10 seniors on its team and took six wrestlers to the tournament.

Gilmer entered the tournament down one wrestler, Austin Sprayberry, who dislocated his elbow during the area tournament.