SHARPSBURG, Ga. — Eastside had luck on the South Metro Invitational closing weekend because the workforce positioned 2d with a couple of first park finishes.
The Eagles are not any stranger to the South Metro Invitational. This age, they had been competing in opposition to 22 alternative faculties from the situation.
In simply his 2d go back and forth to the South Metro Invitational because the Eagles’ head lecturer, Caleb Payne was once inspired along with his workforce’s efficiency on the meet.
“[I’m] extremely proud of them from this past weekend! I think it is Eastside’s highest — or tied for highest — ever finish at South Metro,” Payne stated. “I am fortunate to coach a lot of talented wrestlers who are coachable and put the work in every practice. We battled on Saturday and I was extremely proud of the level we are wrestling at.”
Eastside scored 189 issues within the tournament, which simplest trailed Ola, who led by means of a large margin with 293 issues.
At the back of the Eagles was once Newnan with 157 issues.
The 2 manage finishes of the date for Eastside had been supplied by means of Nolan Christian (126-pound weight magnificence) and Dylan Baynes (144-pound weight magnificence), who each claimed first park of their respective weight categories.
Christian and Baynes, who’re 15-2 and 14-3 at the age respectively, are veterans at the workforce that had sturdy showings at South Metro.
For Payne, the 2 embrace what it method to be a wrestler at Eastside.
“Dylan and Nolan have been a part of the program for all four years. Not only did they win Saturday, but they dominated on their way to first,” Payne stated. “Nolan did not give up a takedown all day and beat the No. 1 wrestler at his weight class 17-2 in the finals. Nolan was also named most outstanding wrestler for lightweights at the tournament. Dylan has wrestled a very tough schedule and has gone up against a lot of hammers this year. He has a 14-3 record to show for it. He is a three-time state qualifier and placed fifth at state last year.”
Christian started the meet with a win by way of forfeit sooner than defeating Hampton’s Donovan Aviles and Union Grove’s Fernando Mulligan by means of technical fall each and every.
Within the semi-final fit, Christian gained by means of 17-3 main resolution over Woodward Academy’s Aiden Hitt.
Christian persisted his successful techniques within the championship fit for the 126-pound weight magnificence by means of defeating Ola’s Max Meredith on a 17-2 main resolution.
Baynes’ date began with back-to-back wins by means of forfeit sooner than taking over East Coweta’s Tommy DiNucci, who he beat by way of fall.
Within the after fit, Baynes gained by way of 15-10 resolution over Rockdale County’s Luka Heron.
For the primary park fit for the 150-pound weight magnificence, Baynes gained by way of 18-9 main resolution over Ola’s Jobi Colbert.
The after absolute best end of the meet for Eastside got here by the use of Malachi Riley (17-5), who’s a pristine face within the Eagles’ wrestling program.
Previous to becoming a member of Eastside as a senior, Riley was once a standout at the Newton Rams’ wrestling workforce.
Riley positioned 2d within the 165-pound weight magnificence.
Next starting the date with a win by means of forfeit, Riley defeated Newnan’s Nathan Dewberry by way of technical fall sooner than beating Union Grove’s Ethan Lumpkin by way of fall.
Riley upcoming defeated Whitewater’s Zayne Tillery by way of technical fall within the semi-final fit to journey him to the primary park fit for the 165-pound magnificence.
Within the championship fit, Riley in the end misplaced by way of fall to Ola’s Brian Papcun.
Riley’s paintings ethic has been a key a part of his sport that has stood out to Payne all over his first age with the workforce.
“Malachi works everyday and is the type of athlete every coach wants to coach. Not only is he extremely talented but is a leader on and off the mat,” Payne stated. “He does whatever is asked of him and then some. He had a great Saturday as he had two first period techs and a pin to get to finals.”
Rylan Daniel (144-pound weight magnificence) and Jamorrie Cole (190-pound weight magnificence) each and every took house 3rd park of their respective weight categories.
Eastside gained a trio of fourth park finishes from Hassan Williams (138-pound weight magnificence), Jordan Amedee (157-pound weight magnificence) and Amaiah Clayton (Women 110-pound weight magnificence).
Payne was once specifically pleased with Amedee, who was once wrestling thru an condition at South Metro regardless of incomes fourth park.
“Jordan Amedee was battling a major illness and was [able] to fight through that, wrestle six matches and place fourth at a very tough tournament,” Payne stated. “There are not many people on earth who have that kind of toughness.”
At the youthful varsity (JV) facet, Eastside claimed a couple of first park finishes from Griffin Norries (JV 138-pound weight magnificence) and Cadieu Dunlap (JV 190-pound weight magnificence).
Next the development, Payne spoke in regards to the significance of striking prime in a meet of that dimension and the workforce’s mindset as they flip their consideration to the after meet.
“It does a lot but like I told them at practice, ‘We can enjoy this, but we have to get back to work,’” Payne stated. “We have a very tough region with teams like Walnut Grove, North Oconee and Flowery Branch. All of which are extremely well coached and have some of the best wrestlers in the state. 4A is also probably the deepest in terms of a talent level out of all classifications. So we cannot afford to settle if we are going to accomplish our goals. We have multiple people on this team who have capabilities of qualifying, placing and even winning state. Just have to keep putting the work in.”
Eastside might be again at the mats Saturday, Dec. 21 at South Forsyth Prime College for the Struggle Eagle Duals at 9:30 a.m.