During a meeting on Tuesday, May 10, the Dawson County Board of Education recognized the many athletic teams donning the maroon and gold who made it to the state playoffs during the winter and spring seasons.

Recognized in the event were boys and girls tennis, boys and girls track and field, boys golf, girls basketball, baseball, and both the high school and middle school wrestling teams. 

“I think this is the most teams we’ve ever had go to state in one year,” board member Elaine Wilson said. “This many kids going to state…that’s awesome.”

Some of the teams recognized were filled with star seniors, while others had many underclassmen who will be back next season to try and return to the state playoffs.  

The largest group of athletes to be recognized was the middle school wrestling team, coached by Andrew Grigsby. His vast group of athletes is building a foundation for long-term wrestling success both at the middle school and high school levels in Dawson County.

For high school wrestling, the team faced a spate of injuries during the season but still had several individual athletes play well, led by Will Whalen.

Each tennis team succeeded in the Region Tournament by winning in the first round. The boys would clinch a No. 3 seed and the girls a No 4 seed in the state playoffs. 

The girls basketball team returned to the state playoffs with a relatively young roster, led by lone senior Ella Siuta. The Lady Tigers defeated North Hall in the region tournament to advance and play Westminster in the state playoffs.

The baseball team recently wrapped up their season with a three-game sweep of Lumpkin County to end the regular season to clinch the No. 3 spot in Region 7-AAA. The Tigers would then lose to Redan in the state playoffs.

The golf and track and field teams are still playing. While golf will wait until early next week to play, the track and field team played at the State Sectionals last week and are sending three relay teams and two individuals to the State Finals this weekend.