Walnut Grove Takedown Club Region Finalists Move Towards Sectionals

The Walnut Grove Wrestling team concludes this year’s Home Region Individuals with high-placing wrestlers on Saturday, February 4th earning their way up to sectionals and possibly state individuals.
by Paulina Rodriguez

The Walnut Grove Wrestling team concludes this year’s Home Region Individuals with high-placing wrestlers on Saturday, February 4th earning their way up to sectionals and possibly state individuals.

From rankings 4th to 1st, Peyton Hogan(106), Graham Dawkins(132), Gareth Aderhold(157), Zeb Dawkins(150), Landen Moss(190), and Parker Warren(215) have all advanced up to sectionals by their impressive placements during region individuals this past weekend.  Z. Dawkins, who placed 1st in his 150 weight class against 11 other wrestlers, commented with a sly and laid back attitude, “It is just the next step, something that needs to be done.” 

“I feel pretty good, you know, it’s a little nerve-wracking,” Hogan shares his feelings about moving forward to this weekend’s tournament. Hogan finished 4th in his 106 weight class bracket against schools like East Hall and Madison County. 

​When asked about what he will miss after his last year with the WGHS wrestling team, Senior Aderhold shares, “Smitty, I'm gonna miss Smitty so much,” he refers to Coach Kyle Smith with a well-used nickname. Aderhold also adds that “having something to do after school” will be another thing he will miss as his senior season comes to an end.

Overall, the Walnut Grove Wrestling team finished the day with a team score of 147.5 and 11 wrestlers taking their final placements, allowing the school to finish off individuals in 4th place out of 11 schools.

After sectionals, state individuals meet follows in the next weekend from the 16th through the 18th where the event will be held in Macon Georgia in the Macon Centreplex.

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