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South Effingham Wrestling Flattens Brunswick for Area Title
South Effingham wrestling
Mustangs roll to a 73-5 win, claim their fourth straight area duals crown and advance to the Class 5A state dual championships.

GUYTON, Ga. — South Effingham wrestling coach Christopher Bringer loves to beat Brunswick High School.

The Pirates were among the area’s top dogs — and they let you know it — when Bringer took over the Mustangs’ program six years ago.

Brunswick won its first area championship in 2021 in SEHS’ gym.

Bringer said the Pirates could be rude and disrespectful.

“They were a tough, physical team. They had a mental advantage over us,” Bringer said.

South Effingham wrestling
Coach Christopher Bringer addresses his wrestlers after their 73-5 win over Brunswick High School, celebrating South Effingham’s fourth straight area duals title. (Gilbert Miller / Effingham Herald)

That was then

Before Saturday’s area championship match, Bringer was reminded of the past.

“(The Brunswick coach) was telling me they have good luck here,” Bringer said.

That was then.

The Mustangs wore silk boxing robes for Saturday’s one-day tournament and first knocked out Greenbrier 71-9 in the semifinals before flattening Brunswick 73-5 for their fourth straight area duals title, punching their ticket to the Class 5A state dual championships in Douglasville next Friday.

Effingham County was eliminated earlier in the day with a 46-23 first-round loss to Glynn Academy.

South was the area’s No. 1 seed, but the ease of victory was a left hook opponents didn’t see coming.

“First, it was 10, then 20, then 30, 40, 50 — everyone did their part,” said Mustang heavyweight Kevin Steptoe, describing his team’s ever-growing leads.

South Effingham wrestling
South Effingham wrestlers, some still in their silk robes, celebrate their fourth straight area duals title Saturday in Guyton. Now onto the Class 5A state dual championships next Friday in Douglasville. (Gilbert Miller / Effingham Herald)

Bonus points pile up early

South registered nine pins, along with two forfeits and two decision wins, earning points in 13 of the 14 weight classes against Brunswick.

From the opening bell, the Mustangs dominated. Andreo Manlove won by forfeit at 113 pounds. State champion Tahrik Bailey produced a third-round fall at 120. Mayson Young and Noah Knowlton needed two rounds apiece to win at 126 and 132.

Bear Bringer won a 13-6 decision at 138. Maddox Vasquez recorded a third-round pin at 144.

Less than halfway through the match, the Mustangs led 33-0 on the scorecards.

“From 106 to 144, we’re all expected to get bonus points,” said Adam Hardeman, a state runner-up at 106 last year.

And the points kept coming. Jeremiah Hobbs won a major decision, 14-6, at 150.

Riley Atkins (165), Zach Utnehmer (175), Caysen Fisher (190), Ian Verrett (215) and Steptoe (285) closed the action with pins. Hardeman also claimed a forfeit victory, and Brunswick was counted out.

Coach Bringer said Saturday’s area tournament marked the first time his lineup was intact all season. Bailey missed time with a knee injury. Bear Bringer was out three weeks with a concussion. Utnehmer had shoulder surgery.

“We’ve had injuries. We’ve had weight issues. That adversity tested everybody,” Bringer said. “We knew we were so good, but we couldn’t get everyone together.”