There are many steps on the road to the third state title in a row for Bulloch Academy, and the next-to-last step was taking their region to task.
    They did so Thursday night in the comfort of their own gym, winning the region 2-AAA title by a whopping 136 points — 70 clear of the runner up Robert Toombs. Every BA wrestler placed either first of second in their individual weight classes, and all will be going to state next weekend in Americus, Ga.
    “We were hoping to go 14-14 tonight,” said head coach Andy Tomlin. “But overall I think things went pretty well. Right now it’s just another step in the process.”
    BA was led by their three seniors, G.C. Kimbrell, Tyce Lovett and Garrett Williams — all of whom won their region titles at 285, 220 and 182 respectively. Kimbrell won his title in a strenuous 3-0 decision, Lovett won via first round pinfall and Williams won on a pine after being down 5-0 going well into the third period.
    The night was especially big for Kimbrell, who won his fifth region title in a row — a stretch going back all the way to eighth grade.
    “Region is two matches and you win, which can be kind of a let down coming off a big GHSA tournament,” Kimbrell said. “I savor these titles either way though.”
    Falling in behind was Seth Conner, winning his round-robin matches at 195 via first period pins in under a minute combined — easily the most dominating performance of the evening. Kyle Samuels, Jake Nelson and Wilson Joiner all won their matches via first round pinfall at 132, 152 and 171 respectively.
    Also taking home first for BA was Spencer Sharp at 103, Ford Wildes at 113, Jake Wasdin at 126, Lawson Anderson at 145 and Billy Tillman at 160. Riley Joyce 120 and Hunter Marlowe 138 were the lone runners-up for the Gators on the night. Tomlin added to the evening’s accolades by winning the region’s coach of the year award as well.
    The decision was slightly anticlimactic, as it was the sixth time in a row BA had won their region and have not lost a dual match this year. While Thursday’s region meet wasn’t a dual meet, BA were heavy favorites going in regardless.
    They’ll be similar heavy favorites going into the state meet as well, as back at the Trinity Tournament on Jan. 14 the Gators beat out a majority of the top GISA schools to win the tourney by over 100 points. Either way, Tomlin doesn’t want his wrestlers to get complacent.
    “We got to those tournaments at Islands and Richmond Hill to get chewed on,” Tomlin said. “It’s a reminder that
    BA will have this next week to get prepared to take home their illustrious third straight state title, which does down at Georgia Southwestern State University next weekend.