By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

On a team marked by inexperience, they’re the old guys in the wrestling room.

Charles Ray and Christian Whaley are the only two seniors on the LaGrange High wrestling team, and they were honored before Monday’s home match against Heard County.

Whaley, who wrestles at 220 pounds, has strived to be there for his teammates throughout the season.

“When they need anything, I try to help them out,” Whaley said. “Charles, the other senior, I take him to practice every day, take him home. I take Asa (Leath) sometimes. We like to go out to eat when we can. I try to be there for everybody, help them when they need it.”

Ray, who holds down the 285-pound weight class, added “If they’re going through a situation, we talk about it.”

Scooter Weathers, LaGrange’s head coach, appreciates the guidance shown by the two seniors.

“They’ve been leaders,” Weathers said. “They’ve helped teach the younger kids. They motivate them. It’s something that you count on.”

While the two seniors will be missed, LaGrange’s prospects for next season and beyond appear bright since most of the key wrestlers are either freshmen or sophomores.

“The future looks really, really good,” Weathers said. “Next year, we’re going to be salty. We’re going to be pretty decent if everybody will work. I’m excited about it.”

LaGrange’s wrestlers, young and old, will be at Central-Carroll on Saturday for the Area 5-AAAA tournament.

LaGrange tuned up for the area tournament by competing in the Bowdon Invitational last weekend.

It was a successful day for LaGrange, which had five placers.

Matt Callaway and Jacob Anderson each finished second, and Isaiah Coleman, Colin Cavender and Hunter Brooks each placed third.

Coleman, a freshman, is one of the young guys on the team, and he has enjoyed a successful season. Coleman, who wrestles at 113 pounds, has made a smooth transition from middle school to high school, although he feels there is room for improvement.

“I’ve been doing pretty good,” Coleman said. “I’ve been mixing some things up. I need to get stronger, but other than that, I’ve been doing pretty good. I just need to keep it up and work harder.”

Anderson made it to the state sectional as a freshman last season, and he’s hoping for more this year.

The top eight finishers from each of the two sectionals will advance to the state finals in Macon.

“I made the sectionals last year as a freshman. That was a big deal,” Anderson said. “I really want to make it to state this year.”

Like his coach, Anderson is excited about the future of the team.

“Coach says it a lot. We’re a really young team,” Anderson said. “We only have two seniors. We’re only going to get better.”