By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – They’re rolling.

The Troup Tigers have been steam-rolling the opposition early in the wrestling season, and they kept it going last weekend by posting a 4-1 record in a dual-format tournament at Hiram.

Troup also went 4-1 in a tournament at East Coweta, and it had a 3-0 record at Smiths Station.

Troup’s junior-varsity wrestlers have been getting it done as well.

In a tournament hosted by LaGrange High last week, Troup rolled to a first-place finish.

At Hiram, Troup’s only loss came to South Paulding when it fell 40-36.

“We got behind early and came back,” Troup head coach Craig Garner said. “We had a couple of matches that we felt could have gone either way. One match in particular I felt like we should have won. But they’re all valuable teaching tools and lessons.”

In its other matches, Troup beat the Newnan junior-varsity team 74-6, the Newnan varsity team 64-18, Hiram 73-6 and Forsyth Central 42-33.

“We’re definitely improving,” Garner said. “We’re definitely better than we have been the past two years. And I was extremely proud of what we did the past two years. But we’re really starting to see this group of juniors starting to take off and blossom.”

The future of the program looks bright as well considering how well the junior-varsity team performed at LaGrange.

“I think we had 14 guys that medaled,” Garner said.

At Hiram, Chase Seals had a big day for Troup with a 5-0 record, and all his wins were by pin.

Also going 5-0 for Troup were Darius Hanson and Byron Butts.

Going 4-1 for Troup were Quenton Kersey, Trevor Upchurch, Colby Harry, Scott Hicks and Trey Harris.

Troup will be back on the mat on Saturday for a dual-format tournament in Carrollton.

Later this month, Troup has two home matches.

Troup will host a four-team match on Dec. 14, and it will host the Dariel Daniel Grind on Dec. 20-21.

Troup’s senior night will be on Dec. 14.