By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

Callaway’s first-ever appearance in the state wrestling duals was a successful one.

After losing its opening match to Pepperell in the Class AA state duals, Callaway stayed alive with a win over Lamar County.

Callaway’s tournament stay ended with a loss to Dade County, but it nonetheless returned home with a top-10 finish.

“We lost the first one, and I was a little worried that the lights might be too bright, but it wasn’t an issue,” Callaway head coach Jason Boatman said. “To come back against Lamar like that, it was very encouraging. They were fired up and ready to go.”

Boatman made sure his wrestlers realized the magnitude of what they were accomplishing.

“After each dual, I told them to stop and look around and see what they were a part of,” Boatman said. “After we won, I told them you’re successful on this stage. You just accomplished something really big. Even when we lost the last one, I told them the goal is to be back here every year.”

In the 54-28 win over Lamar County, senior Curmondre Bray got things started with a pin at 170 pounds.

“He kind of started it off,” Boatman said. “His first match against Lamar set the tone for us. He had a big pin, and we just kept it rolling from there.”

Anthony Elliott (182 pounds) and Jared Nation (195 pounds) followed with wins, and after Lamar County won two matches in a row, Cameron Key (106 pounds) got a pin to get Callaway back on track.

Anthony Taylor (113 pounds), Ladarious Williams (126 pounds), Jakwon Nunley (132 pounds), Jayvon Nunley (138 pounds) also won for Callaway Laquize Gilbert (160 pounds).

Callaway opened with a 48-36 loss to Pepperell.

Winners for Callaway were Laquize Gilbert, Elliott, Lathan Patterson, Taylor and Korbin Browning.

In Callaway’s final match, a 54-24 loss to Dade County, Key, Williams, Gilbert, Elliott and Nation secured victories.