Chattooga Indians Youth Wrestling Club Update

The Chattooga Indians Youth Wrestling Club had another active weekend on the Team Georgia USA Wrestling circuit as they headed down to Roswell High School for the Roswell Hornet Folkstyle Classic. The young Indians have been very active in the training room, located conveniently beside the Boys and Girls Club in Summerville, Ga. Regularly scheduled practice sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from6:30-8 pm and are hosted by the coaching staff at no cost to the athletes. Private sessions can be scheduled separately.

The Roswell Hornet Classic is one of the three largest events in Georgia each season and this year the tournament was no different. Host at the 6-A mega school on 10 mats, Roswell featured over 700 wrestlers and the Indians knew they would face at challenge every time they stepped on the mat.

Standout performances came at the 6U division from upcoming Skyler Hughes (49lbs) who shocked the crowd with a 3^rd period 6-4 victory that led him into the medal rounds. Hughes brought home a great 4^th Place finish and continues to develop well. In the 8U Division, Colton McCary (48lbs) and Benton Potts (60lbs) both had great matches. McCary fell short of the podium after dropping two matches where he led by more than 5 points in each match. Potts again demonstrated flashes of greatness with a thrilling 4-3 win in his second round and added a pin and a tech fall on the day. Potts won an overtime match and then lost one to miss out on the medal rounds but showed his progress is paying off with big time wins. In the older age groups, several wrestlers performed well including Dylan Bailey, 14U 105lbs, who battled in a weight classes loaded with talent and Rowan Burdick, 12U 95lbs, who faced a long road in another tough 16 man bracket. Burdick picked up several key wins including a pin and a tech fall, but none more impressive than his come-from-behind victory over Florida’s Jack Crook. Trailing 6-9 with less than 20 seconds remaining in the match, Burdick hits a trademark Indian Cutback from bottom to score 2 reversal points and 3 back points as time ran out and secured the 11-9 victory. Burdick capped the day off with a victory in the finals over fellow Chattooga County wrestler, Logan Lary of the Trion Mat Dogs, to bring home the Gold Medal. Congratulations to other local wrestlers like, Hunter Burnette, 14U 75lbs, who went undefeated and took first place.

The North Gwinnett Beginners Bulldog Brawl was held on Sunday and the Indians could be found working the mats at this tournament as well. The beginner events are hosted for 1^st and 2^nd year wrestlers and the Indians saw outstanding performances from 6u 55lb, Jared Butts, who got off to a slow start only to wow the crowd with back-to-back victories both by pin. Butts’ performance caught the eye of rival coaches who have been following the improvement from such a young athlete. Also on hand, Colton McCary, 8U 50lbs, had the distinct misfortune of being in a weight class that was merged with the 10U Division. What this meant for the young 7 year old wrestler with less than 3 total months of experience was that he would face three opponents who were 9 or 10 years old. In perfect Indian form, McCary handled his business like a professional as he pinned three and won a fourth match in overtime. McCary was in the championship match winning against a 10 year old opponent 9-1 when he found himself in a tight clinch that crashed to the mat leaving his lip bloody and his opponent on top of him where the official called a quick pin. In spite of the heart breaking loss, McCary’s mat performance was nothing short of outstanding and he looks for big things in the weeks to come.

Also, several county athletes ventured to Tulsa, OK this weekend for a national championship event. Among them was Summerville’s own, Trevor Burdick. Burdick missed the finals but picked up three big wins on the national stage and continues to progress toward his goal of wrestling someday for a division 1 collegiate wrestling program. While now in high school, Trevor continues to train local youth wrestlers at the Chattooga Indians Youth Wrestling Club where he works out with Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chris Thompson, and technique coach, Josh Allmond. The Indians will be out in force this weekend at the Trion Iron Dog Classic. It is never too late to get started on the mat so contact the Indians for more information. Head Coach Jake Burdick 706-859-8458 or www.ChattoogaIndiansWrestling.com.