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Local Wrestlers Qualify for Team Georgia and National Competition in Fargo, North Dakota

By Special to the Prep Sports Report | May 16, 2024

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In a resounding display of prowess and skill, wrestlers from Savannah's Five Star Wrestling Club have clinched their spots to represent Team Georgia at the upcoming national stage in Fargo, North Dakota. Headed by the illustrious Coach Harry West, who also mentors at Benedictine Military School, these athletes have punched their tickets to compete against the nation's best in the 2024 US Marine Corps USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championships.

 

Coach West, a stalwart in the wrestling community, proudly declared that six of his proteges from Five Star Wrestling secured their spots in Team Georgia during the intense Freestyle/Greco State Tournament at Life University on May 11, 2024. Among them, Zachary Krauss '25, Aiden Simmons '27, AJ West '28, Chase Mort '28, Malachi Williams, and Izzy West '25 stand ready to carve their names into wrestling history on the grandest stage.

 

Their journey to the prestigious FargoDome, set amidst the rugged plains of North Dakota, promises to be a thrilling test of their mettle. This grand spectacle, scheduled from July 12 to July 20, will witness fierce competition across multiple categories, including men's freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's freestyle. Among the elite grapplers representing Team Georgia, a notable contingent hails from Benedictine Military School under the tutelage of Coach Joe Tvrdy.

 

Reflecting on Benedictine's rich wrestling legacy, Coach Tvrdy reminisced about Shane Summerlin, a three-time GHSA Runner-up who last qualified for Fargo in 2007. Fast forward to the present, and the proud coach reveals that four of this year's Fargo-bound qualifiers proudly don the BC Cadet colors. Zachary Krauss '25, Aiden Simmons '27, AJ West '28, and Chase Mort '28, all poised for glory, will carry the Benedictine banner alongside their Five Star counterparts.

 

Not to be outdone, Malachi Williams, a recent graduate from Jenkins High School and a committed athlete to Brewton Parker College, will showcase his skills in the 144-pound category. Meanwhile, Izzy West '25, representing Richmond Hill High School, emerges as a formidable force in the girls' division, armed with the accolades of being the Georgia State Runner-Up and this year's Freestyle State Champion. 

 

As these local athletes gear up for the ultimate showdown in Fargo, the entire community stands behind them, ready to witness their journey from the mats of Savannah to the hallowed grounds of national competition.

 

School and Club Details:

Benedictine Military School Wrestling

Coach Joe Tvrdy  

6502 Seawright Drive  

Savannah, GA 31406  

Phone: 912-644-7000  

 

Devine Jiu Jitsu Savannah & Five Star Wrestling  

Coach Harry West  

4307 Ogeechee Rd Suite 101  

Savannah, GA 31405  

Email: fivestarbjj@gmail.com  

Website: https://www.fivestarsavannah.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinesav_fivestarwrestling

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Just Shoot Sports

 

FOLLOW the Prep Sports Report on Twitter @PrepSav and Instagram savannahsportsreport. If you have any scores, information, or story ideas to share, please email kdemasi@prepsportsreport.com.

 

Optim Orthopedics is a familiar face on Savannah's prep sports scene, from the diamond to the court. More than just logos on jerseys, Optim's dedication to local athletes runs deep, providing crucial medical support to eight powerhouse high schools: Dr. David Sedory: Benedictine Military, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County,  Dr. David Palmer: Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham, and Dr. Thomas Alexander: Savannah Country Day, and St. Vincent's - Southeast Leaders in fellowship-trained Orthopedics Surgeons. Optim Orthopedics proudly sponsors the Prep Sports Report. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game.

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The "Coach" Karl DeMasi has been teaching and coaching for the past 35 years on all levels of academia and athletics. One of his hobbies has been writing, announcing and talking about sports. DeMasi has been involved in the Savannah Area sports scene since 1995, and he created the high school magazine "The Prep Sports Report" in 2000. In 2010, the "Coach" started broadcasting The Karl DeMasi Sports Report. He's still going strong, broadcasting on Facebook live and Twitter live every Saturday morning. You gotta love it!


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