The Starr’s Mill High School wrestling team competed in the Region 4 AAAAA team duals this past weekend at Newnan High School. The Panthers defeated East Coweta 48-18, Mundy’s Mill 72-3, Fayette County 60-16, Newnan 59-12 and Union Grove 33-30 to take the title.

The Union Grove-Starr’s Mill dual was a dog fight from start to finish. Freshman Chris Gordon (189) had the upset of the night. Losing to his opponent by 11, Gordon battled back and pinned him in the third round for the win. But it came down to the final match for Starr’s Mill. Trailing Union Grove 27-30, Senior Cory Radcliffe (140) did not disappoint his teammates. Radcliffe pinned his Union Grove opponent giving Starr’s Mill six points and a final team score of 33-30.

Three Panthers went undefeated for the weekend. Going 5-0 were Radcliffe, Brandon Witta (145 ) and Bradley Connor (275). Losing only one match and going 4-1 were Matt Hartpence (152) and Jeff Partlow (215). Scoring three victories for the Panthers were Jason Allen 3-1(103), Joseph Hoyt 3-2 (119), Kevin Thurber 3-2 (125), Kevin O’Brien 3-1 (130), Brandon Ferguson 3-1 (130), John Donaldson 3-2 (135), and Chris Sudduth 3-2 (160). Patrick Waters (112) split at 2-2, while Stephen Plante (112) went 1-0. Michael Strait (171) went 1-1 and Gordon finished the weekend 1-4.

The Panthers will travel down to Macon this weekend to participate in the AAAAA team dual competition. Starr’s Mill will face Glynn Academy in the first round. The top two teams from each region will compete for the state title.

Fayette County went 2-3 at the duals. The Tigers beat Newnan 45-24 and Mundy’s Mill 55-12 but lost to East Coweta, 38-32, Starr’s Mill 60-16 and Union Grove 48-26.

In the 4-AAAA area duals, Whitewater placed third and McIntosh placed first. The Wildcats defeated Douglas County, Sandy Creek and McIntosh but lost to Woodward Academy and Alexander. The Chiefs beat Lithia Springs and Douglas County but lost to Alexander and Whitewater. Sandy Creek lost to Alexander and Whitewater but got a win over Lithia Springs.

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