Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s wrestling program earned a spot in the history books at the NCISAA State Championship on Saturday. Rabun Gap senior Cole Owens of Conyers was crowned the school’s first-ever state champion in wrestling.
Owens entered the tournament as a No. 2 seed and scored a hard-fought decision over Metrolina in the quarterfinals. Owens pinned his opponent from Wesleyan in the semifinals, and he dominated the finals 12-2 over Charlotte Christian, an opponent that had defeated practically everyone else in the bracket at some point this season.
Three other Eagles —freshman Miles Watts, and seniors Quill Martin and Aiden Loring, all of Clayton — earned second-place at the state tournament in their respective weight classes. Martin holds the school record for most career wins and wins in a season.
Rabun Gap senior Matt Campbell of Highlands, NC placed fourth, marking his fifth state tournament placement, the most in program history. Junior Kyle Ormsby of Queens Village, NY, a newcomer to the team, finished in fifth place.
Callum Spivey of Clarkesville became the youngest placer in Rabun Gap history finishing sixth at state as a seventh-grader.
As a team, the Eagles placed fourth overall, their highest finish in program history.
“Congratulations to this team and their senior leaders that laid the blueprint for success in Rabun Gap’s wrestling program,” said Coach Jamey Ledford.
