Two HCMS wrestlers claim traditional titles

Heard County Middle School wrestlers with top 3 finishes or higher during the traditional championships at Mt. Zion High School. (L-R): Assistant coach Christopher Tatum, Kaden Vanhuss, Tommy Googe, Brayden Hutchins, Kent Jones, Brady Davis, Waylon McCay, Bailey Parker, and head coach Jimmy Haynes

(Mt. Zion, GA) — The Heard County Middle School wrestling team competed at the West Georgia Middle School Traditional Wrestling Championships at Mt. Zion High School over the weekend and nine Brave grapplers walked away with strong top four finishes.

Leading the way were Tommy Googe and Brayden Hutchins who each won titles in their respective weight classes.

Googe scored three pinfalls without suffering a loss en route to his championship in the heavyweight division while Hutchins likewise pinned each of his three opponents without a defeat in the 120 lb weight class.

Head coach Jimmy Haynes was proud of the effort from all of his wrestlers, but especially the two that claimed titles.

“Brayden Hutchins wrestled hard all week long for us — he struggled a little bit early in the week — but he came back and left no doubt that he was the best,” said Haynes after the meet.”

Googe winning the heavyweight title was extra impressive after he battled through sickness for much of the week.

“I can just speak volumes about Tommy Googe. He had the flu all week last week and didn’t come back to school until Thursday and still had to get checkout so his first full day was Friday,” Haynes said.

HCMS Individual Championship winners Brayden Hutchins (L) and Tommy Googe (R)

“Then for his first day back on the mat in a week he pins a kid in the finals at duals and then comes back today and wins a conference championship. This guy they call ‘The Googe’ — he just chips away little by little and never quits — that just shows you his mentality.”

Four Braves earned strong second place finishes including Kent Jones who won two of his three matches at 175 pounds, Brady Davis (2-1 at 128 lbs), Waylon McCay (2-1 at 105 lbs), and Bailey Parker (2-1 at 77 lbs).

Kaden Vanhuss earned a third place medal (3-1 finish at 152 lbs.), while Jack Japour (160 lbs.) and Michael Hedrick (70 lbs.) both earned fourth place finishes.

Central of Carrollton took home the first place team trophy at the traditional meet while Haralson County claimed second place in the meet which included both big and small schools.

At Friday night’s divided dual meet held at Bowdon, the Braves were narrowly defeated by Villa Rica to earn the small school runner-up trophy.

“I am looking forward to the future for our program,” added Haynes. “We’ve got four first-year kids that wrestled with us this year and I just love this group of guys — they are hungry and they are ready to work.”