The Washington-Wilkes Tiger wrestling team has suffered a major setback but continues to be dominant in area matches, having won all its matches to date. The ongoing success has earned the team a No. 3 ranking among state Class A schools as reported by GaSports.com.

The setback is the loss of defending state champion wrestler Casey Nickels who will miss the season following shoulder surgery scheduled for next Tuesday, December 20. Nickels, a mainstay on the offensive and defensive lines for the Tiger football team, finished that season injured and heavily taped with frequent shoulder separations.

He was an odds-on favorite to repeat as state champion and was expected to pass 100 wins without a loss this season. (He was 51-0 last year.) However, in order to preserve his option to walk-on as a football player at the University of Georgia, his doctor advised that he will need at least six weeks of recovery after surgery.

Although Nickels will be sorely missed by the other Tiger wrestlers, there are several other in serious contention for state honors. Mathew Young, Nick Gorsuch, and John Lovvorn all did well at the state tournament last year and will undoubtedly improve in 2006. Others, as seen in the results below, are already off to a good start and will also be in the hunt.

A match on Tuesday, December 13, was unable to be reported in this edition and the Tigers will travel to Soperton this weekend for the Viking Invitational. After the Christmas break, the team will resume with the Pacelli Christmas Tournament on December 28-29 but won’t host a match in Washington until January 3.

November 29

at Greenbrier

Washington-Wilkes – 45

Greenbrier – 36 103 — Josh Dobbs won by forfeit 112 — John Lovvorn won by pin 125 —Tyson Gilland won 8-5 135 — DJ Willis won by pin 140 — Steven Warren won by pin 145 — Brad Gibson won by pin 152 — Nick Gorsuch won by pin 160 — Mathew Young won by pin

Washington-Wilkes – 43

Burke County – 36 112 — John Lovvorn won by forfeit

119 — Josh Cosby won by forfeit 125 — Tyson Gilland won 13-0 135 — DJ Willis won by pin 140 — Steven Warren won by forfeit

145 — Brad Gibson won 10-8 152 — Nick Gorsuch won by pin 160 — Mathew Young won by pin

December 10 at Commerce

Washington-Wilkes – 60

Commerce – 12 119 – John Lovvorn won by pin 125 – Tyson Gilland won by pin 130 – Jesse Crago won 16-1 135 – DJ Willis won by pin 140 – Dywane Hampton won 10-8 145 – Brad Gibson won by pin 152 – Trey McCants won by pin 160 – Mathew Young won by pin 215 – Casey Nickels won by forfeit 275 – Gaynor Hardy won by pin

Washington-Wilkes – 57

East Hall – 18 112 – John Lovvorn won by pin 125 – Tyson Gilland won by pin 135 – DJ Willis won by pin 140 – Dywayne Hampton won by

forfeit 145 – Brad Gibson won by pin 152 – Trey McCants won 13-8 160 – Mathew Young won by pin 189 – Charlton Ware won by pin 215 – Casey Nickels won by forfeit 275 – BJ Gartrell won by forfeit

Middle School

and JV results

Greenbrier: Wins by Evan Harrison, Josh McTier, and Rob Lovvorn.

Commerce: Wins by Evan Harrison, Rob Lovvorn, and Derrick Ferris.

East Hall: Wins by Rob Lovvorn and Derrick Ferris.