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Wes McCard

Sports Editor

The Upson-Lee Knights wrestling team is having one of its best seasons in years. On Saturday the Knights traveled to Locust Grove for the Region 4 Tournament. The Locust Grove Wildcats are the Region 4 Team Champions and are currently ranked No. 6 in the state. Eagles Landing, Woodland, Jonesboro, and Spalding also offered the Knights some stiff competition headed into the meet.

After nearly seven hours of wrestling, the Knights made history. Upson-Lee finished with nine wrestlers headed to the GHSA AAAA Sectional in Dublin this weekend. The top four in the region in each weight class advance to the Sectionals. The previous record for number of ULHS wrestlers advancing to Sectionals was eight.

“It’s just a great day for Upson-Lee wrestling,” said UL head coach Craig Logan. “The guys worked really hard all season long, and many of our guys earned some upset victories today to advance. That shows the growth of our program.”

The Knights had three wrestlers finish as the Region 4 Runner-Up on Saturday. Deven Green (126 pounds), Dillon Watson (160 pounds), and C.J. Kirschmann (195 pounds) all placed second in the region. Colby Schadenberg (113 pounds), Devontae Smith (145 pounds), and Jacob Jackson (285 pounds) each placed third in the region. Also head to the Sectionals are Michael Kirschmann (138 pounds), Tyrese Davis (170 pounds), and Nathaniel Bloodworth (220 pounds) after placing fourth in the region.

Here is a breakdown of how the Knights fared individually.

103 pounds- Josh Draime: 1-2, 1 pin

113 pounds- Colby Schadenberg: 3-1 (third place)

126 pounds- Deven Green: 2-1, 2 pins (second place)

132 pounds- Anthony Delli-Gatti: 1-2, 1 pin

138 pounds- Michael Kirschmann: 2-2 (fourth place)

145 pounds- Devontae Daniel: 3-1, 1 pin (third place)

160 pounds- Dillon Watson: 2-1, 2 pins (second place)

170 pounds- Tyrese Davis: 2-2, 2 pins (fourth place)

195 pounds- C.J. Kirschmann: 2-1, 2 pins (second place)

220 pounds- Nathaniel Bloodworth: 2-2, 2 pins (fourth place)

285 pounds- Jacob Jackson: 3-1, 2 pins (third place)