MACON —
As the Southland Raiders began practice for the 2012-13 wrestling season they had one simple goal; finish better than fourth in the GISA State Wrestling Tournament. One region championship, seven individual region champions, and four individual state runner-ups later, the Raiders completed that task with a third place finish at the GISA State Championship Wrestling Meet to end yet another extremely successful wrestling season.
On Friday morning the Raiders traveled to Tattnall Square Academy in Macon, Ga. for weigh-ins and the first round of action. On Saturday, several Raider wrestlers participated in the semi finals and finals, and by the end of the day Southland finished with four second place finishers, one bronze medalist, and one fourth place finisher.
One of the most amazing facts about the Raiders historic 2012-13 run is that the team was competing with only one senior in 220 pound weight class state runner-up Andrew Alexander. Alexander, who was also an All-State football player and Times-Recorder Two-Way Player of the Year, came up just short in the state championship match on Saturday evening. Alexander was the heart and soul of the Raider wrestling program, and his tremendous finish in the state tournament ended an excellent wrestling career for him on the mats.
“We are losing a very valuable senior in Andrew,” said Raider wrestling coach Mike Smith. “He was our leader, and not many times do you have a person like Andrew that leads both on and off the mat. He never complained and he always came to practice and worked hard, and it will be hard for us to replace that next season.”
Joining Alexander as GISA State Runner-ups were sophomores Ryan Landreth and Cauldin Smith, as well as junior Lance Harrod. Landreth, who won an individual state title last season, made it to the championship match in the 126 pound weight class this season before being narrowly defeated for the title. Smith also made it to the championship match in the 182 pound weight class to finish as the state runner-up, and Harrod finished with a silver medal in the 285 pound weight class.
A pair of sophomores also finished third and fourth at the state meet. Colt Stephens brought home the bronze medal in the 152 pound weight class with a win in the consolation finals, and Corey Doggett finished fourth in the state in the 113 pound weight class.
With such a young team, the future is extremely bright for the Southland wrestling program after improving on their 2012 fourth place state finish. Smith said that this was a very positive season for the Raiders, who even wrestled better than he anticipated at times. “I was very pleased with our performance this year overall. There were even a couple of times that we exceeded my own expectations,” he said. “Most of the team is coming back and you can’t really do anything but smile. I am very excited for the next few years for this program.”
Next season the Raiders will be aiming for at least a second place finish in the state championships. With a very solid core group of wrestlers with excellent experience under their belts returning, that goal is very attainable, and it will surprise no one if Southland brings home the GISA State Title in 2014.
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Related Photos
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Pictured are the Southland Academy state championship placers in the 2012-13 GISA State Championship Tournament. Submitted Photo
Raider wrestling completes season with third place finish at State Championships
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