It has been a successful inaugural wrestling season for the Long County Blue Tide and their season is still not over. On Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, the teams sent a total of 17 wrestlers to the individual sectionals tournament next weekend.

The Lady Tide took the mat in Effingham County on Friday with two girls finishing second and two others finish fourth and fifth.

Seniors Roseanne Chihuahua and Brenda Cisneros finished with second place medals. Kaylee Kennard finished fourth and Giselle Heetland finished fifth.

Chihuahua, Cisneros, and Kennard will all advance to the individual sectionals on Friday, February 10 in Upson-Lee.

There was much more cause for celebration on Saturday as the boys took the mat in Savannah. Nine wrestlers finished in first with five finishing second in a dominant performance for the Blue Tide.

Hunter Wilson (106), Brayden Stinnett (113), Andre Mills (126), Jaevion Felton (138), Kien Clark (144), Kolton Brown (150), Tanner Benton (190), and Christian Jones (215) all won their weight classes to advance to the next round.

Cayden Benton (120), Luke Aguon (132), Mareon Montgomery (165), Devion Smalls (175), and Jerome Brown (285) all finished second in their brackets.

The dominant day for the Tide showed in the team scores as they totaled 210 points with the Calvary Day the next closest team at 72 points.

“The Blue Tide men and women have far exceeded anything any of us could have imagined this year,” head coach Damien Salazar said. “We are beyond proud of every one of our kids and it is an honor to watch them succeed on and off the mat in life and in the classroom. Go Blue Tide!”

All nine first and second place finishers will advance to the individual sectionals tournament Saturday, February 11 in Toccoa.