Mat Cougars Compete, Place in State Meet

Piedmont Academy’s Payden Cantera placed fourth in the 220-pound division at the GISA state wrestling meet last weekend in Macon.

Cantera paced a quartet of Mat Cougar wrestlers who competed on the state’s biggest stage. Teammates Justin Autry (195) and Malik Reid (182) both placed sixth in their respective weight class.

Mills Smith competed at 170 and while he did not place, he drew a tough bracket, coach Alvin Hawkes said.

Smith, who entered state as a region champion, fell in his first match to the eventual state runner-up. His second match was against a foe who finished among the top state’s four.

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Coach Hawkes said he was proud of how each wrestler competed and represented their school.

“All of our wrestlers worked hard throughout the season,” Hawkes said. Autry is a senior but Reid, Smith and Cantera which each return next season. Reid and Smith are juniors while Cantera is a sophomore.

In addition, Ian Boyd, Mitch Marsh and Owen Brady each competed at the middle school wrestling championship last week and each finished fourth.