By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

It’s been a year, but the painful memory lingers for Troup High’s Adam Lundberg.

Lundberg came into last year’s Area 2-AAA wrestling tournament seeded second in his weight class, making him a favorite to finish in the top four and advance to the state meet.

It didn’t happen.

Lundberg was upset at the area tournament, denying him a chance to wrestle at state.

“Last year was a tough one,” said Lundberg, who wrestles in the 130-pound division. “I was seeded second, and I lost.”

Of the decisive match, Lundberg said “I wasn’t protecting my legs well enough, and I got over-confident. I’ll never make the mistake I made that day again.”

Lundberg, a junior, will get a chance to make up for last year’s disappointment on Saturday when the Area 2-AAA tournament is held at LaGrange High

Lundberg will likely be the No. 1 seed in his weight class on Saturday, an honor that would have gone to Columbus’ Joey DeNova, who won state last year and has been dominant this season.

But DeNova has transferred to Harris County, a Class AAAA school, leaving that weight class wide open at area, and at state.

“I’m feeling pretty good about my chances,” Lundberg said. “I’m pretty comfortable with the season I’ve had. It’s been a pretty good season.”

Lundberg has been a staple in the Tigers’ lineup since he was a freshman, and he’s had a strong junior season.

Lundberg’s best tournament result was a second-place finish at the Chattahoochee River Wrestling Association tournament, and he was sixth at the Starr’s Mill tournament.

In dual matches, Lundberg has been one of  Troup’s most dependable wrestlers.

“Adam, he’s a guy you can see how much he’s improved from last year to this year,” Troup coach Clint DeMooney said. “He’s just worked hard. He’s always been a leader.”

Being a successful wrestler doesn’t come easily, and there have been no shortcuts for Lundberg.

“Everything from making weights to conditioning is so much, and it’s so tiring,” said Lundberg, who doesn’t participate in any other sports. “But it’s worth it.”

It would really be worth if it Lundberg could add another chapter to Troup’s impressive wrestling tradition.

Dozens of Troup wrestlers have won state titles, and the team has won nine state championships.

Those championship banners and trophies can be found in the wrestling room.

“That’s probably my goal being here is to add another (state title) up there,” Lundberg said. “That would mean everything.”