money Effingham County wrestling looking to pin down high finish at region
It doesn’t sound too difficult — finish among the top four wrestling teams at the six-team Region 2-6A Dual Championships this weekend at Richmond Hill to keep your season alive.
But Effingham County coach Nico Guggino says the region’s advancing group will be a formidable foursome. On Jan. 15, the winner of the region will host four teams (a No. 2 seed, a No. 3 seed and a No. 4 seed from different regions) while the region’s No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 seeds go on the road.
“Our region is pretty strong. That was pretty evident last year,” Guggino said.
Last year, the Rebels snuck into the GHSA Class 6A state prelims as Region 2’s fourth seed and defeated Region 3’s No. 1 Lakeside, Evans in the opening round.
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But getting out of the region this year is hardly a lock for anyone. Defending region champion Brunswick, Richmond Hill and South Effingham are among the best teams in the state. And challenging to unseat ECHS at No. 4 is Glynn Academy, which had a 19-5 dual record heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, according to South Georgia Matmen — a website for statewide wrestling news.
“We’re solid as a team, but we’ll need some guys to step up,” said Guggino before ECHS wrestled at the two-day May River Santa Slam on Dec. 28-29.
Effingham County's top three wrestlers — Mal Santiago, Conner Nevin and Nigel Wright — can compete with the best in the region. Santiago was undefeated in the 113-pound weight class before recently losing to South Carolina’s state champion, Guggino said.
Nevin, who has been wrestling at 126 and 132, placed third at state at 113 last season.
Both will move down in weight: Santiago to 106 and Nevin to 120.
Wright, at 195, already had 30 wins after the Rebel Invitational on Dec. 11.
Injuries, however, could leave the Rebels shorthanded when the region tournament gets underway Friday. Guggino said the team would most likely forfeit two weight classes, in essence spotting opponents 12 points in any dual match.
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South Effingham, 33-1 heading into the final week of the regular season, will be a team to watch at the region championships.
The Mustangs recently won all seven dual matches to claim a tournament in Yulee, Florida (just north of Jacksonville).
South Effingham's lone loss came against Richmond Hill 36-33 in the finals of the Swamp Duals, an early season tournament at Ware County High School.
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A week later, the Mustangs avenged the loss with a 37-34 win over the Wildcats, when freshman Brandon “Moose” Bringer, coach Christopher Bringer’s son, scored a decision victory in the final match at 132.
SEHS has dominated the lighter weights during the season so far. Freshman Emilio Santana was 29-0 in the 106-pound weight class after the Rebel Invitational.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Effingham County High wrestling in South region 2-6A tournament
