Led by strong performances from Tyler Storey, at 182 pounds, and Ryan Adams, at 220 pounds, the Bainbridge High wrestling team finished fifth out of ten teams at area duels over the weekend. BHS defeated Dougherty, Albany High and Westover, but lost to Cairo and Crisp Counties to finish 3-2 in the tournament.

“I expected it,” head coach Chad Smith said. “I thought they went and had fun. It let us know where we are at compared to the region.”

Storey and Adams were the top performers for the Bearcats as both finished 5-0 on the weekend. BHS also saw strong performances from Tre Storey, at 195 pounds, and Tristan Manley, at 132 pounds, who both finished 4-1. It was a strong showing overall for a Bearcat team that suffered big loses in the first two duel matches of the season in late December.

“Seeing improvement in attitude more than anything,” Smith said about his team. “It is a good predictor of what we are going to do come traditional regional.”

Smith is now predicting that Tyler Storey and Adams will win area championships at the individual tournament on January 29th. Trey Storey and Manley also have a chance to win a title if they can overcome opponents who have beaten them this season.

“Tristan looks good. He has one guy he struggles against, but he may win,” Smith said. “Trey has dominated everybody, but the Thomas County Central wrestler. If he can get over the hump he has a chance at winning region.”

Smith said the key is getting everybody in the weight class that they are best suited for. Tyler Storey will wrestle at 170 after bumping up a weight class for area duels and a few other wrestlers are working to drop a weight class.