The Long County Blue Tide wrestling team made history this past weekend when both the boys and girls teams qualified for the state championship duals meet. The girls won the Division 2 Area 1 championship on Friday, January 10 and the boys won the Region 3-AAA championship on Saturday, January 11.
The girls traveled down to Nahunta to take part in the Area 1 championship meet, essentially needing to win the tournament to qualify for the state duals meet for the first time in team history.
They took on the Brantley County Herons in a best two-out-of-three series to determine the Area 1 championship. The Lady Tide won the first match 65-21 with six forfeit wins, pin victories by Aleena Clark (105 pound weight class), Haniyah Coleman (120 pounds), and Tymiah Powell (heavyweight class), and major tech fall by Aralyn Ruise (115).
The Lady tide dominated the second match with a 66-15 win. The Lady Tide had seven forfeit victories, and four pin victories from Clark, Coleman, Ansleigh Benton (170), and Powell.
This is the first time the Lady Tide have won the area championship after finishing second in 2023 and fourth in 2024.
The boys went to Savannah to compete in the region championship tournament at Calvary Day School. They defeated Johnson 78-6 and Islands 58-21 in the first two rounds.
They took on Jenkins in the championship round knowing that a win would guarantee them a spot in the state duals tournament.
The Blue Tide defeated the Warriors 47-36 with pinfalls from Mareon Montgomery (190), Ethan Miller (215), Zion Merrill (106), King Council (126), Andre Mills (138), Tjayden Vaughn (144), and Colteon Young and a major tech fall by Casey Dean (120).
First-year head coach Bryant Versprille was excited about the team’s victory, especially after their early season 60-24 loss to the Warriors.
“This win is a testament to their hard work and dedication,” Versprille said. “I told them as long as we get better every day, we’ll be fine. These boys came to practice day after day and put in hard work. The coaching staff is so proud of these boys.”
The boys will compete in the state duals meet January 17-18 at Troup County High School while the girls will compete in the state duals on January 25 at Lumpkin County High School.