The Bainbridge High School wrestling team wrapped up its season over the weekend with three wrestlers participating in the State Tournament. Originally only Tyler Storey, in the 170-pound division, and Tre Storey, in the 195-pound division, had qualified after placing in the top eight at Sectionals. Ryan Adams, in the 220-pound division, was a late addition though after an injury to a wrestler from Perry High. Adams was an alternate after finishing ninth at Sectionals.

“After already leaving Bainbridge and leaving Ryan behind for the state tournament, a state representative called and said Ryan needed to attend,” Head Coach Chad Smith said. “Tyler, Tre and myself turned the van around and went back to Bainbridge to get him. An alternate has never gotten called up in my 10 years as a wrestling coach.”

After not practicing for a week Adams had the tall task of facing number one overall seed Eric Long of St. Pius in the first round.

“Ryan took the challenge on full force,” Smith said. “[He] was beating Eric the entire match when with 15 seconds left, Ryan slips and gives up a reversal to lose the match 10-9.”

He came out strong in his next two matches pinning both opponents, but saw his Cinderella run come to and end in the next round when he lost a close decision to Monex Charles of Hampton.

“Ryan lost 3-1 in a very defensive match,” Smith said. “Ryan finished 7th out of 65 wrestlers.”

Adams finished one place out of the medals, but his seventh place finish was the highest ever by and alternate at the State Tournament according to Smith.

“I was very proud to be Ryan’s coach and I was very thankful for the effort he gave me and his team,” Smith said. “Ryan was one our best wrestlers throughout the year.”

Tyler Storey faced off against Ty Knight of West Laurens in the first round and lost in the second round via pin. He rebounded in his next match and defeated Gage Carter of Winsor Forest in a 13-6 decision. His BHS wrestler career came to end in the next round when he was pinned in the second round by Champ Leddon of Locus Grove, who placed third in the tournament.

Tre Storey, who was dealing with a knee injury and was forced to wear a brace, went 0-2 at the State Tournament after drawing eventual state placers in both of his matches. His first match was against Jack Ness of Buford who finished second place. In the consolation round he lost in the second round via pin to Darrien Ingram from North Hall, who placed third overall.

“I think Tre was a little overwhelmed,” Smith said. “It was a big stage for a first time 10th grader. Tre got put out by the eventual 2nd and 3rd place finishers. That’s a horrible bracket draw for a 10th grade first time state contender.”

Overall it was a successful season for the Bearcats after they got a late start due to football and were forced to replace 10 wrestlers from last year’s team.

“I was extremely pleased with the progress and effort i received from our team,” Smith said. “We were made up of 17 wrestlers, 13 of them were 9th-10th graders so needless to say we were rebuilding. Bainbridge wrestling isn’t just a coach and athlete situation, we are family and that’s how we treat each other. I am glad to call this group of guys family.”