Two weeks ago our Cherokee Wrestlers competed at state: Jacob Silka, T.J Parks, and Trevor Hands. Sophmore, Jacob Silka won state Champion over several other wrestlers. T.J. Parks was the state runner-up , and Trevor Hands was the State placer.
“We look forward to the continued growth and success of this program in years to come,” stated Coach Adams, Assistant Principal and administrator over of CHS Athletics.
Our Cherokee wrestlers had an amazing season all around. They fought through hard battles, concussions, blood and a lot more.
Jacob Silka placed first this year, and scored 24.0 total team points. Jacob is the 10th state champ in school history and the first since 2009. Jacob won his first round with a fall over Caleb Barber from Tift County. On his Quarterfinal match he won by decision over Vermon Rogers from Archer. In the Semifinal, won by decision over Riley Dahlgren from Camden County. And Jacobs First place round he also won by decision over Dominic DiTomasso from Lowndes County.
Trevor Hands placed fourth and scored an overall count of 16.0 total team points. Trevor took third at sectionals and wrestled more than half the season with a 180 degree tear on his shoulder. In round one Trevor defeated Antonio Lucero from Rockdale County. In the Quarterfinal Robert Henderson won in sudden victory over Trevor. Cons. Round two Trevor won by a fall over Zac Lesser. Cons. Round 3, Trevor won by decision to Timothy Wright. In Cons. Semi he defeated Christian Cartier. And in the final Third Place Match, Florin Myndresku defeated Trevor in sudden victory, which led Trevor to come out in Third Place.
Senior, T.J. Parks placed second with a total of 20.0 team points. T.J was actually the first sectional alternate to make it to the finals in State History. He also placed 6th at last years state tournament living up the Warrior legacy. He also wrestled and played football with a partially torn and broken shoulder. In the last match for 1st place T.J. took a fall from Dylan Fairchild from West Forsyth.
TJ’s mother, Ms. Parks, is a math teacher at CHS.
“I am so very proud of him and all that he has and will accomplish. He is my absolute favorite son!!!” said Ms. Parks. Of course, he is her only son.
To add to all of this, Cherokee actually had our own first girl wrestler in school history to win a Sectional Championship, Zoe Parris. Her quarter final loss was to the eventual state champ and she currently ranks 18th in the nation.
Overall the team finished in 7th place and they were in the top 10 for the second year in a row. They also won both their Dual Region and Traditional Region Championships for the second year in a row.
We are very proud of our Warrior Wrestlers and look forward to next year’s season!
THE WARRIOR WORD 