GIRLS DIVISION GEARS UP FOR EXCITING YEAR 2

ast year marked the launch of the first-ever traditional girls state championships. The introduction of this separate competition followed a historic achievement that was celebrated at the 2018 state championships. It was that year when Statesboro’s Kasey Baynon made history by placing fifth in the boys Class AAAAA 106-pound bracket. In doing so she became the first-ever girl to place in the traditional wrestling state championships. L

Baynon’s success and a growing interest behind the possibility of adding a girls division quickly became a reality and the new format made its debut this past February. State qualifiers in 10 di„erent weight classes competed for individual girls titles. The weight classes were divided into 95, 106, 116, 126, 136, 146, 156, 166, 176 and 225. The 10 classes slightly shifted this year to 102, 112, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162, 172, 197 and 225-pound divisions. As a result, there will be a ton of intriguing storylines to keep an eye on.

In the newly-formed 102-pound division, Stephens County’s Athena Malik will headline the field as the top seed. Malik placed second last year in the 106-pound division and will be joined by Hiram’s Alana Washington and Mountain View’s Kennedy Shrophshire in an ultra-competitive bracket. Washington competed at 95 pounds last year and placed second while Shrophshire earned

BY CRAIG SAGER II | SAGERC2@GMAIL .COM

a second-place finish at 116 pounds a year ago.

RETURNING CHAMPS

North Gwinnett’s Dianna Holmes took home the state title at 106 last year with a win over Malik and qualified to compete at the 112-pound division this year. Holmes will have plenty of competition, including Temple’s Zoe East and Paulding County’s Savannah Lackey. East defeated Lackey in last year’s 106-pound consolation finals to earn a third-place finish.

Reigning 116-pound state champion Amani Jones will represent Ola in the 122-pound division this year. Also in the bracket will be Berrien’s Cecily Livingston and Baldwin’s Catherine Mullis. Last year, Livingston defeated Mullis in the consolation finals to finish third in the 116-pound division.

The 132-pound bracket is stacked with experience. Duluth’s Aki Choates enters as a top seed and won a state title at 126 pounds last year. North Paulding’s Glenda Veiga will also compete at 132 pounds after placing fourth in the 146-pound division last year. Harris County’s Sam Scarbrough earned a third-place finish at 126 last year and Stone Mountain’s Daisy Gilleylen is also competing at 132 after placing runner-up in the 136-pound division last year.

Defending 146-pound champion Sophia Eglian will represent North Forsyth as the top seed in this year’s 142-pound bracket. The rest of the field includes Hiram’s Tristen Music and White County’s Sidney Sullens. Music placed third at 136 last year and Sullens is back after a second-place finish in the 156-pound class.

Collins Hill’s Tiyahna Askew took the 156-pound championship last year and will be the top seed in the 152-pound class this weekend. Hiram’s Heaven Byrd will compete as the top seed in the 162-pound division after capturing the 166-pound championship last year.

Championship aspirations will be strong in the 172-pound division this weekend as well. Alexander’s Dream Santiago is the top seed and placed runner-up at 176 last year. Additionally, Jackson County’s Bre Lumley was a third-place finisher at 176 last year and Veterans’ Markayla Stewart will compete at 172 pounds after a second-place finish at 225 last year.

Meadowcreek’s Mi’Kel Jiles is the top seed in the 197-pound bracket and was a fourth-place finisher at 225 last year. Veterans’ Emilie Rohme placed fourth at 176 last year and qualified to take on the 197 field this year. Hiram’s K.J. Haney returns to defend her 225-pound crown this year against a field that includes Southeast Whitfield’s Teonna Bonds—last year’s third-place finisher.