By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

MACON – They made it to the podium again.

Last year, Troup wrestlers Darious Hanson and Colby Harry both placed at the state wrestling finals in Macon.

The two seniors returned to Macon last week with an opportunity to place once again, and they made it happen.

Hanson and Harry placed fourth in their respective weight classes in Class AAAA, securing a place on the

awards podium.

Callaway also had two men place in the Class AA state finals, with Anthony Elliott finishing third, and Laquize Gilbert placing fourth.

LaGrange didn’t have any placers, but it had six wrestlers in the finals.

In all, Callaway, LaGrange and Troup had a combined 17 wrestlers in the finals.

For Troup, Hanson put the cap on a memorable senior season by finishing fourth at 132 pounds.

Hanson won his first two matches before losing to Gunner Filipowicz of Blessed Trinity.

After winning his next match, Hanson lost a 3-2 decision to CJ Shadinger of Central-Carroll in the third-place match.

Hanson finished the season with a 45-4 record that included an area championship.

Harry, competing at 285 pounds, won his first two matches before falling to Devin Sullends of White County.

Harry won his next match before finishing with a loss to Dean Colton of Marist in the third-place match.

Harry, who also won an area championship, had a 29-5 record this season.

Also competing in the state finals for Troup were Dylan Hayes (120 pounds), Pearson Strickland (126 pounds) and Riley Bowles (220 pounds).

Strickland, a state placer last season, had a stellar 41-5 record this season.

For Callaway, Anthony Elliott finished with a 5-1 record at state to finish third at 182 pounds.

Elliott lost his second match to Wyn Denney of Heard County, but he followed that up with four straight wins.

In the third-place match, Elliott beat Model’s Ray Shaw 5-2.

Elliott posted a record of 34-8 this season.

At 160 pounds, Laquize Gilbert went 4-2 to place fourth.

Elliott (34-8) lost his second match before winning three in a row, and he lost a hard-fought 4-3 decision to Harlem’s Sean Houston in the third-place match.

Callaway’s other state participants were Korbin Browning (120 pounds), Ladarious Williams (126 pounds), Jakwon Nunley (132 pounds) and Lathan Patterson (285 pounds).

Four of LaGrange’s six wrestlers won a match at the state finals, although none of them placed.

Isaiah Coleman (106 pounds), Hunter Brooks (120 pounds), Matt Callaway (132 pounds) and Colton Clines (160 pounds) each won a match.

LaGrange’s other state participants were Charles Ray (285 pounds) and Colin Cavender (138 pounds).