The Panthers wrestling team competed in the AAAAA state duals in Macon this past weekend. After beating Glynn Academy 60-15 in the preliminary round, Starr’s Mill advanced to the quarter-finals.

Facing powerhouse Walton High School, currently ranked third, the Panthers held tough and fought hard, but in the end fell short of the victory 39-27.

Starr’s Mill’s next opponent was the 10th ranked Centennial High School team. The Panthers worked together and wrestled relentlessly for every point they earned. They had seven winning matches that round and pulled off the upset defeating Centennial 33-29.

That win put Starr’s Mill into the consolation quarter-finals against the fourth ranked Kell High School squad. Earning six victory matches that round was not enough to give the Panthers the win and Kell went away the winners 41-24.

Bradley Connor was the one Starr’s Mill wrestler to win all four of his matches by pin. Brandon Ferguson pinned three and decisioned his last opponent 5-3. Cory Radcliffe, Brandon Witta and Jeff Partlow each went 3-1 for the weekend. Splitting their matches and going 2-2 were Joseph Hoyt, Kevin Thurber, John Donaldson and Chris Gordon. Pulling in one win for the Panther’s were Jason Allen, Patrick Waters, Stephen Plante, Matt Hartpence, Chris Sudduth and Michael Strait.

The Panthers will honor their four seniors in a quad match Wednesday at home against Douglas Co., Northgate and Stockbridge High Schools. Match time is set for 5 p.m.

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