The annual “Clash at the Creek” wrestling tournament held on December 19 and 20, 2023, showcased the talent of local high school teams in Whitfield County, Georgia, with impressive standings from several participants. This event, hosted at Coahulla Creek High School in Varnell, welcomed 28 schools from six states across the southeastern United States, making it one of the largest dual wrestling competitions in the region.
Coahulla Creek’s wrestling team, known as the Colts, achieved a strong second-place finish in the tournament, while Dalton High School’s Catamounts secured fourth place. Other notable rankings included Murray County in 17th, Northwest Whitfield in 19th, Southeast Whitfield in 21st, North Murray in 23rd, and Christian Heritage tying for 27th.
Seth Broome, head wrestling coach at Coahulla Creek and organizer of the tournament, noted that this year’s event featured representation from every state bordering Georgia, including Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. “This is the seventh year we’ve done this,” Broome remarked. “When we started in the winter of 2019, we had just nine teams. Now, it’s grown significantly, transforming from four mats to 12, with 11 in our gym and one in the band room.”
The tournament utilized a pools-to-bracket format, allowing teams to compete in eight pools on the first day. “How you placed in your pool didn’t eliminate you; it simply set up a 28-team bracket,” Broome explained. This structure benefited smaller teams, enabling them to progress through matches against opponents of similar caliber.
During the competition, Coahulla Creek achieved notable victories against teams such as LaFayette, Dawson County, and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Dalton’s Catamounts also had a commendable performance, defeating Model and The Webb School in their quest for fourth place.
Broome emphasized that the tournament is not solely focused on team placements but rather on providing athletes with ample wrestling opportunities. “Every kid gets seven or eight matches across the weekend, allowing for quality mat time as we prepare for the region tournament,” he stated. “For teams competing for placement, this serves as a good gauge for potential postseason matches.”
Among the 28 teams participating, 15 had finished in the top ten of their respective state competitions last year, highlighting the tournament’s competitive nature.
In addition to the boys’ event, Coahulla Creek hosted its inaugural girls’ “Clash” on December 18, 2023, featuring 11 teams from four states, including Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Southeast Whitfield emerged victorious, with LFO and North Forsyth following in second and third places, respectively. The winning team received a trophy shaped like Thor’s hammer, marking a memorable start to the girls’ tournament.
As the season progresses, Coahulla Creek’s wrestling team currently holds an impressive record of 18 wins and 2 losses. Broome mentioned that their only defeats came against Trion and tournament champion Signal Mountain. Looking ahead, the region tournament is scheduled for January 8, 2024. Teams in the area, including Coahulla Creek, Ringgold, LFO, Murray, and North Murray, will compete with the top two teams advancing to state duals.
Broome expressed pride in his team, particularly the ten seniors who have contributed significantly this season. “We’re pushing this group hard and are proud of our second-place finish,” he said. “Signal Mountain is a strong contender for a state title in Tennessee, but our goal is to compete for a state title in 2A this year. With some adjustments to our lineup due to illness and injuries, we’re optimistic as we head into the region and state competitions.”
The high level of competition and the growth of the “Clash at the Creek” tournament over seven years exemplifies the thriving wrestling culture in the region, providing valuable experiences for young athletes.
