Cass High’s wrestling team ended their season on a phenomenal note this year coming home as state champions in Class 5A. Their hard work made this year one to remember as they achieved what Cass hasn’t done in over a decade and came home with both individual and team state titles this year. Our State Crown winners were backed by 4 state runner-ups and a third-place finisher who helped rather the majority of Cass’s 171 points in the tournament beating out Woodland Highschool for this year’s title by a margin of 10.5 points. This slim margin is a testament to how hard our wrestlers worked to secure their victory and claim as the best wrestlers in 5A.

This year’s state tournament was hosted at the Macon Centreplex, an interesting choice of location as according to Cass High’s state runner-up Zach McKnight the venue is usually an ice skating rink, and as a result, stayed extremely cold throughout the event. This left him feeling like he was unable to get the most out of his warmup routine, and left him insufficiently prepared for his matches. This was an unusual setback for our wrestlers coming into the tournament, but thankfully their hard training allowed them to prevail over any negative effects of their deviance is routine – mentally and physically. Of these wrestlers, seven of them placed in the top 3 of their weight class.

Bryce Kresho (42-2) was our only 3rd place finisher and wrestled in the 138-pound weight class.  He scored 18.5 points for Cass and bested Giles Turner (Cartersville) by fall for his 3rd place win.

Zach McKnight (34-5) is the 175 lb class runner-up for 2022. He scored 18 points for Cass in the tournament and lost the finals match to Gunner Filipowicz (Woodward Academy) by fall. When I asked Zach about his experience at the match he said, ” It was great, I mean we had a lot of fun. I just wish I would have done better in the Finals match. I hated to make it so far and not take home the title.” While he was left unsatisfied, his achievement as runner-up is made all the more impressive by his age, as a junior this year, Zach will have another chance at the title next season.

Tyler McKnight (39-5) is the 145 lb class runner-up for 2022. He scored a total of 18.5 points for the team on his climb to the final match. In the 145 lb Finals match, he was bested by Latrell Schafer (Veterans) via major decision. While Tyler shared sentiments with his brother Zach about being disappointed by coming so close to a state title without cinching the win, he was very proud of his team and said when asked about next season, ” I’m ready to take the title next year. I know I can do it.”

AJ Piatt (40-6) is the 113 lb class runner-up for 2022. He scored an impressive 20 points in the tournament. He lost to Colby McBride (Woodward Academy) via decision in his Finals match. Overall putting up a great performance winning his other matches via falls in impressively short bouts.

Lee Camp is the 106 lb runner-up for 2022, scoring 19 points for Cass. Je lost his Finals match by decision to Mason Moody (Locust Grove).

Cole Hunt (39-0) had an exceptional performance in the 120 lb division bringing home a State Crown as he had an undefeated record. Cole scored an incredible 25.5 points for Cass and won the finals match in his class by a tech fall over Glen Decher (Harris County) ending his extraordinary season.

Jake Crapps (42-0) also had an amazing season in the 126 lb class, bringing in 23.5 points for the team. His efforts in the 126 lb class were well worth it bringing him a 2022 State Crown. He took finals via decision over Conner Kimbrough (Ola) closing out another perfect record for Cass highschool.

Our wrestlers put in the hard work this year, and it paid off. To top it off, most of our top wrestlers have at least one more season with our program before they graduate, paving a promising road for next year’s season. Hopefully, next year will yield an even more impressive season than the wrestlers’ stunning performance this year. congratulations Cass wrestlers on your amazing season and good luck on your preparations for next year!