HAHIRA — Valwood Valiants wrestling has gone unnoticed the past few years, but that is about to change. 

A year ago Valwood only had six wrestlers. This year, it has 20 wrestlers. Valwood wrestling has been restructured, now led by Coach Antonio DelVecchio and Coach David Fisher, and these Valiants are hungry and ready to wrestle.

The middle school team, led by 8th-grader Brooks Browning, has started out their season with a duals record of 1-1. They faced tough competition against Valdosta middle as they took their first loss, but quickly bounced back and dominated the Pine Grove Middle School team. Then, they headed to Southland Academy to take on their GISA competition. The Valiants walked away from this tournament making a statement as all 8 middle school Valiant wrestlers placed. Antonio DelVecchio Jr. and John DelVecchio, came home tournament champions. Brooks Browning, Caleb Perez and Christian Hartpence took second place, Elijah Perez took third while Layne Davis and Alex Gee took fourth. Their next competition will be at West Laurens High School on the 22nd of December.

Valwood’s varsity team, led by senior Ashton Moorman, opened its season by traveling to Southland Academy Dec. 15 to compete in the “Glory Days” tournament. 

“This group is nothing but pure athletes. The hard work, determination and drive that these young men show every day in the practice room has me excited for this season,” Coach DelVecchio said. “Valiant Wrestling will be a force, this is only the beginning stages of what our program is becoming.”