SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Two Social Circle wrestlers were enjoying the view on Feb. 11 from the top of the mountain.

Social Circle High School’s Braydon Mitchell and Lance Thacker each won state titles at the traditional state dual finals in Macon.

Mitchell (106) and Thacker (126) helped lead the Mat Redskins to a second-place overall finish. 

“It was a crazy experience and it is great to reach the goal I have been trying to accomplish for the past six years,” Mitchell said. “It just felt like a dream come true and I want to thank my coaches and everyone who has helped me get to where I’m at.”

There was marked improvement for Social Circle from last season to the 2021-2022 campaign.

“Last year we did not have a wrestler in the finals,” Redskins head coach Randy Prater said. “This year we had five and two wrestled their way to the top to earn the title of state champion.”

Mitchell and Thacker both drew the praise of their head coach.

“Braydon and Lance, like most of our team, are very driven, hard-working young men,” Prater said. “They have bought into Social Circle wrestling, committed to the process and put in the extra work in the offseason. They have parents who have bought in as well by pushing them through the years to help them reach their goal.”

Connor Castillo (120), Kacen Taylor (145) and Will Hames (160) were each runner-up in their respective weight classes for Social Circle while James Eldridge (152), Rowen Vandergriff (195) and Tucker Cleary (220) were third.

Caden Prater (132) and Sean Crews (138) were fourth and Ben Bruce (285) was fifth for the Mat Redskins.

Social Circle compiled 200.5 team points to finish as state runner-up behind Trion who totaled 225.

The Feb. 11 traditional finals concluded the Georgia High School Association wrestling season for the 2021-2022 season.