NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolWrestling
Pitts wins state wrestling title
Feb 26, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Junior Korey Pitts came out on top of his weight class at the state wrestling tournament held early this month in Gwinnett. Literally. In a match versus Banks County’s James Ledford, Pitts won the 112-pound title by technical fall, 19-3.
“Wrestling for Korey is more than just a sport; it is a lifestyle that he has chosen,” said head coach Kelly McDurmon. “This season, he committed himself to a weight regimen, trimming his body fat in accordance with the new GHSA guidelines in order to compete in the 112-pound weight division. It definitely paid off.”
A two-time area and state finalist, Pitts finished the 2006-07 season undefeated with a record of 39-0 and 32 pins, and according to coach McDurmon, he is on track to earn more wins than any Darlington wrestler before him.
“Korey’s greatest strength as a wrestler would be his special awareness,” said McDurmon. “He has an innate ability to understand the position of his body in relation to his opponent. In wrestling, we call this ‘mat sense.’ For instance, in the championship match at Armuchee, Korey used cart wheels to defend his opponent’s attempts to take him down. The move was unconventional, but it helped him to be successful.”
With one more year of high school wrestling ahead of him, Pitts is already looking forward to next season.
“The highlight of this season would have to be my state finals match in Gwinnett. It feels a lot better to finish on top with a state win than to be runner up like last year,” he said. “Next year, I hope to win again. I just have to remember that you get what you put in.”
“Wrestling for Korey is more than just a sport; it is a lifestyle that he has chosen,” said head coach Kelly McDurmon. “This season, he committed himself to a weight regimen, trimming his body fat in accordance with the new GHSA guidelines in order to compete in the 112-pound weight division. It definitely paid off.”
A two-time area and state finalist, Pitts finished the 2006-07 season undefeated with a record of 39-0 and 32 pins, and according to coach McDurmon, he is on track to earn more wins than any Darlington wrestler before him.
“Korey’s greatest strength as a wrestler would be his special awareness,” said McDurmon. “He has an innate ability to understand the position of his body in relation to his opponent. In wrestling, we call this ‘mat sense.’ For instance, in the championship match at Armuchee, Korey used cart wheels to defend his opponent’s attempts to take him down. The move was unconventional, but it helped him to be successful.”
With one more year of high school wrestling ahead of him, Pitts is already looking forward to next season.
“The highlight of this season would have to be my state finals match in Gwinnett. It feels a lot better to finish on top with a state win than to be runner up like last year,” he said. “Next year, I hope to win again. I just have to remember that you get what you put in.”
