The State Duals turned out a lot rougher than Banks County was hoping.
Another championship for Jefferson’s mat Dragons and several injured Leopards ended the weekend. The top seeded Dragons wrestled as expected to take the title over Sonoraville, 41-22.
It was not all bad news for the Leopards at the State Duals, as two of the starting freshmen had the best showing of the tournament. Mason Patton and Hayden Dilbeck each went 3-0.
Overall, Banks County’s grapplers had a rocky start, missing three starters, the Leopards fell to Sonoraville in the first round.
Sonoraville advanced on a 66-11 win, while Banks bested McIntosh Academy in the second round.
The Leopard grapplers won 44-31 over the Buccaneers. In the next match, Banks suffered a 53-21 defeat to Blessed Trinity to end the Leopards time at the tournament with Banks tied for ninth.
Banks lost an additional three wrestlers during the state event, followed by another at practice on Monday.
Coach Kasey Hanley said if Banks can get back healthy, the Leopards are a “legitimate top four team” in the state.
For more BCHS wrestling, see this week's The Banks County News.