The Pickens High School Dragons wrestling team, traveled to Gilmer High School to take part in the Area 7-AAAA Duals tournament. While the Dragons did not qualify for the State Tournament, Pickens did pick up a win over Southeast Whitfield, routing the Raiders 48-15.The Dragons began the tournament with the daunting task of battling the Bruins of Northwest Whitfield, the number two seed in the tournament. Pickens picked up two match wins for a total of 11 dual points, falling 69-11 to Northwest. Sophomore stalwart, Koby Milner did manage to procure a technical fall win during the dual.

After falling in the first round, the Dragons faced off with the Raiders of Southeast Whitfield in the opening round of the consolations. Despite falling behind 6-0 after an opening SEW pin, the Dragons quickly built up a 30 point, 36-6, lead on the strength of six straight six point wins, five pins and one forfeit.

Elliot Gallagher’s close one point, 2-1, loss at heavyweight saw SEW add three more points, however, Milner answered with a pin at 106 that pushed the Pickens lead up to 42-9, securing the PHS victory. The Dragons won 48-27 and set up a dual with the Purple Hurricanes of Cartersville.

Cartersville jumped out to a 12-0 lead after back to back wins at 152 and 160 respectively. Josh Massey scored a pin at 170 to cut the lead in half, 12-6. A Purple Hurricanes pin at 180 pushed the lead back to 12, 18-6.

John Holbert cut the lead to eight, with a 10-1 major victory at 195; however, Cartersville scored two straight pins to take a 30-10 lead. A “tech” by Milner cut the lead in half, 30-15, but the Dragons managed only one more win in route to a 51-27 elimination loss.

Holbert and Milner later spoke about the Duals tournament experience, as well as the direction of Pickens wrestling.