By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
South Effingham wrestling coach Christopher Bringer knew he had an important teaching moment after his team suffered a devastating loss in the Class 5A state semifinals Saturday afternoon.
His Mustangs were soundly beaten by Creekview and for the first time in three years and more than 100 dual matches his athletes looked broken.
“We’re not judged by wins and losses, but by our character,” Bringer told his team. “We can show people the team we are by the way we finish these (consolation) matches.”
The message resonated loudly and South won its final two matches to notch third place at the GHSA Class 5A State Wrestling Championships at Lassiter High School.
“It’s tough to lose after 2 ½ years of winning but I’m as proud of this team as any of the state championship teams,” Bringer said.
South replaced six seniors from the 2024 title team but steamrolled through the regular season with a 36-0 record. The Mustangs recorded a region championship with a hard-fought 32-30 win over Glynn Academy in the finals on Jan. 13.
Just four days later, South arrived at the 16-team state tournament with hopes of a three-peat. The Mustangs beat Habersham Central 54-15 and Alexander 61-14 during the first two rounds on Friday.
But Creekview won eight of the first nine matches and built an insurmountable 42-5 advantage against South. The Grizzlies forfeited their last five matches for a final score of 42-35.
“Creekview was the only team I worried about. I knew they were that good,” Bringer said.
So good that during a conference call for seedings, Bringer pitched to move unseeded Creekview up. South beat the Grizzlies twice during the regular season but never saw their full team.
At state, Mustang Alarik Gibson lost a 7-6 decision in the 132 weight class to start the match and Creekview, the eventual state champion, dominated South’s upper weight classes. Only Brandon “Moose” Bringer came away with a win for SEHS on the mat.
South defeated Newnan 62-15 and Coffee 58-18 in the consolation rounds for a third-place finish.
Coach Bringer said his son Moose, a senior, didn’t want to hold the third-place trophy.
“We had one bad hour, but I feel good about the next three weeks and next two years,” Coach Bringer said.
Still ahead is the traditional part of the wrestling season and athletes will be looking for individual titles in their respective weight classes.
Area traditionals will be held at Brunswick High on Feb. 1 and the top four in each weight class advance to Sectionals on Feb. 7-8 also at Brunswick High.
The top eight at Sectionals will head to the state tournament in Macon on Feb. 13-15.
South will also have three girls hoping to advance. The girls’ area tournament begins Jan. 31 at Houston County, then joins the boys’ route at Brunswick High for Sectionals and Macon for state.
Last season, Ashton Anderson and Eli Wood won state titles at 285 and 138 respectively. And South won a state title for the most team points.
This season, Moose Bringer (52-2 at 157), Christopher Hardeman (43-2 at 106), Tahrik Bailey (46-3 at 113), Mayson Young (46-6 at 120), Emilio Santana (39-3 at 126), Brayden “Bear” Bringer (33-7 at 144) and Kevin Steptoe (41-8 at 285) will be wrestlers to watch.
Coach Bringer said his wrestlers won’t compete until the area tournament.
“I think we’re all looking for some time off. Everyone is worn out,” Bringer said. “We’ve wrestled a lot during the dual season so I don’t think it will be hard to transition (to traditional wrestling). I think there’s a good chance we can get a state championship (for team points) and have multiple state champions.”
