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The Bearcat wrestling team is THE Region 1-4A champions. The Bearcats rolled over rivals Cairo 60-23 in the region final. 

Bainbridge won 10 of 14 matchups with the Syrupmakers, and each win was decided by pin. Pins give the winning team the most points, and winning by pin was something Bearcats head coach Paul Coleman was preaching to his team in the week leading up.

“I was so proud of the boys and the way they competed,” Coleman said. “When we had people on their backs, and we had the opportunity presented to us, we were able to [pin], and I’m extremely proud of them for that.”

The Bearcats beat Westover 74-12 to reach the final match against Cairo.

The region win puts the Bearcats into the state finals as a top-8 seed. The two-day state tournament will see 16 squads battle for the elusive state title. Coleman set a goal for his wrestlers at the start of the season and said they are on the right track to reaching it. 

“Last year we just fell short,” Coleman said. “We actually ended off ranked ninth in the state… We’re going to walk in and see if we can turn it around and get a final four finish on Friday and Saturday.”

The state tournament will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, and Saturday, Jan. 20. In Gainesville, GA.