Demond Hutchins claims Miller Grove’s first wrestling state title

By Mark Brock

DCSD Athletics Specialist 

MORROW, GA—Miller Grove high senior Demond Hutchins became the first Wolverine to claim a GHSA state wrestling title with his championship match win on Saturday at the Morrow Event Center.

Hutchins entered the title match undefeated on the season to take on Morgan County’s Kaleo Wilcoxson (2 pins, a 7-5 decision to reach the finals) in the finals. Hutchins put together three takedowns through the first two rounds to lead 9-2 with one round to go.

The senior then made it 45-0 on the season picking up a point and then a takedown to close out the match with a 13-3 major decision to claim the gold medal.

“Demond is a leader, he listens to what was say as coaches and has worked hard to get this point as a senior,” said Miller Grove wrestling coach Quincey Bryant. “After a tough loss at state a year ago, he set his sights on winning this year. He kept that in front of him, trained and battled his way to the state title.”

Hutchins won his first two rounds via the pin over Chase Wingfield of East Jackson and Greyson Sikes of Pierce County. In the semifinals, the Wolverine got out in front 6-0 with a pair of takedowns and held on for a 6-3 decision over Jake Gravitt of Rockmart.

“Demond took it upon himself to train and get better for his senior season,” said Bryant. “He went outside of school to other tournaments and did everything that was asked of him.”

Hutchins won titles at the DeKalb County Championships, the Region 5-2A Championships and the Class 2A State Sectionals on the way to the state tournament. He also claimed a title at the Gorilla Warfare Tournament hosted by Berkmar this season.

Hutchins’ teammate, Tyler Bowden, came up short of the state championship match in the 157 class, but bounced back to capture the bronze medal.

Bowden won his first two matches before falling in the semifinals to move into the consolation bracket. He closed out his state tournament with a 12-1 major decision over Columbus’ Gavin Reedy to take home the bronze.

Redan’s Amodou Dieye also reached the semifinals at 138 before falling into the consolation bracket on the way to a bronze medal. Dieye claimed wins in the first and second round before suffering the semifinal loss. He rallied to win the consolation semifinal match and then won an 8-2 decision over Rockmart’s Sawyer Johnson to bring home the bronze medal.

Photo by Mark Brock, Athletics Specialist for the Dekalb County School District.