The seventh annual “Clash at the Creek” wrestling tournament took place on December 19-20, 2023, at Coahulla Creek High School in Varnell, Georgia. This prominent event showcased 28 schools from six southeastern U.S. states, solidifying its reputation as one of the largest dual wrestling competitions in the region.
In a competitive field, Coahulla Creek’s Colts secured a remarkable second place overall, while Dalton High School’s Catamounts finished in fourth. Other notable performances included Murray County High School in 17th, Northwest Whitfield in 19th, Southeast Whitfield in 21st, North Murray in 23rd, and Christian Heritage tying for 27th.
Highlights of the Tournament
Seth Broome, the head wrestling coach at Coahulla Creek and the tournament organizer, expressed pride in the tournament’s growth. “This year had every state that touches Georgia represented,” he noted, referring to participation from Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The event has evolved significantly since its inception in winter 2019, which featured just nine teams competing in a round-robin format on four mats.
Now, the tournament has expanded to 12 mats, including one setup in the band room. Broome emphasized the inclusive nature of the tournament, stating, “For smaller teams who aren’t necessarily going to compete team-wise, they’ll still progress through the bracket and match up with teams more of their caliber.”
Coahulla Creek’s Colts advanced to their second-place finish by defeating teams such as LaFayette, Dawson County, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, and Christian Heritage School. Dalton’s Catamounts also demonstrated their skill, overcoming Model, The Webb School, Dawson County, and Murray County during the tournament.
Broome highlighted the significance of the event, saying, “We host two of the biggest dual wrestling events in Georgia each year.” He noted that while team placements are important, the primary focus is on providing opportunities for students to gain valuable wrestling experience.
Record-Breaking Participation and Future Prospects
This year’s competition featured 28 teams, with 15 of those teams ranked in the top 10 of their respective states last year. The tournament serves as a crucial preparation for upcoming regional tournaments and postseason matches. “Each kid gets seven or eight matches across the weekend, so they’re getting a lot of quality mat time,” Broome added.
In a significant addition to the event schedule, Coahulla Creek hosted its first-ever girls’ wrestling tournament on December 18, 2023, featuring 11 teams from four states: Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Southeast Whitfield emerged victorious in this inaugural event, with LFO taking second place. The winning team received a trophy shaped like Thor’s hammer, adding a unique touch to the competition.
As the tournament concluded, Broome reflected on the performance of his team, which currently holds an impressive record of 18-2. The Colts’ only losses this season came from Trion and Signal Mountain, the latter being the tournament champion. Looking ahead, Broome stated, “Our ultimate goal is to compete for a state title in 2A this year.”
The region tournament is set for January 8, 2024, with the girls’ region tournament scheduled for the following evening. Broome expressed optimism about his team’s potential, especially with a strong group of ten seniors leading the charge. As the tournament continues to grow, the commitment to fostering talent and sportsmanship remains at the forefront of the event’s mission.
