THREE STUDENTS WIN STATE WRESTLING HONORS
During the March Board meeting, three students were recognized by the
Board for winning state honors in wrestling: Nick Burks, a Hardaway senior,
Joe Denova, a Columbus High sophomore, and Reed Fleming, a Columbus High
senior. Also recognized were Columbus High wrestling coach Larry
Morgan, Hardaway Principal Matt Bell, and Columbus High Principal Susan
Bryant.
Burks won the state wrestling championship in his weight class for the
second year in a row, while compiling a 40-2 record. His record the last two
years at 189 pounds. is 84-2. While at Hardaway, he helped his team win 99
dual matches in his wrestling career. He hopes to wrestle and continue his
education in college next year.
Denova compiled a 41-2 record and defeated Dale Becker of Gilmer High to
become the AAA state champion in his weight class after finishing third in
the state as a freshman. He was named the state’s best wrestler at the125
weight class, regardless of classification, by the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution. He was also the Chuck Magoni Award winner as Columbus
High's outstanding wrestler.
Fleming is a three-sport athlete, competing in football, wrestling, and
baseball. He finished his senior season with a 40-6 record and finished
second in the state in a classic match that went four overtime periods to
Nick Burks of Hardaway. Reed was the wrestling team’s academic award winner
with a 4.063 GPA. He will attend the Air Force Academy in the fall.
