The Timberland High School wrestlers saved their best for the end of the duals season this winter, making another Class 2A-A Lower State championship match before falling at Buford High School Wednesday, Feb. 7.
“Yeah, we made a run there at the end of the season,” Timberland coach Ryan Rhoades said. “We lost close to a solid Buford team, with a few close matches making a difference in the outcome… This team surprised me more than any team I've coached, exceeding my expectations. We came together late, but once we did we were tough throughout the lineup.”
The Lower State match opened up at 132 pounds and the Wolves took four of the first seven weight classes, getting wins from RJ Brown, Nick Shurlknight, Nick Ireland and Steven Prioleau. Buford strung together three straight wins, though, including a critical, 1-0 victory in the heavyweight match that mathematically eliminated Rhoades’ bunch.
Even with no chance to win, the Wolves kept scratching. The Wolves earned a forfeit at 106 pounds and got wins on the mat from Alex Rush and Gavin Lewis at 120 and 126 pounds.
“I had a good game plan against them, but we just didn't execute the way we needed to,” Rhoades said. “We gave ourselves a chance, and I am proud of how far this team has come. I don't think anyone thought we'd be wrestling for a Lower State title at the beginning of the season. We worked hard, had a lot of new varsity guys step up, got some guys down to different weight classes and were led by a core group of seniors who helped upset No. 1 seed North Central to get us a match away from the state finals.”
The Wolves now turn their focus to individual state championships. Rush is a defending champion for Timberland and didn't allow a point in the postseason in 2023.
“I look forward to coaching these guys the next two weeks, and hopefully we will have a handful of wrestlers heading to Anderson to the state tournament in a couple of weeks,” Rhoades said.
