Rockdale County High School - Tempus Fugit Yearbook (Conyers, GA)

Page 189 text:

It is quite unfortunate that dual meet records have no effect on a team's final standings. There are tournaments to be won and individual goals to be achieved. Thus, it is time for the Area and State tour- naments to commence. The Area tourna- ment was hosted by Towers High School and Rockdale County was to battle not only other teams but also partisan crowds mostly from DeKalb County. The Dogs gave maximum effort continuously and fin- ished 3rd overall in the tournament. There were 9 wrestlers to place, and they went to state like this: 'lst - Scott Dennis, Chip Meyer, Quinton English and Robert Thorn- ton, 2nd - Bob Johns, 3rd - Ricky Webb and Tony McDonald, 4th -- David Cole and Antonio Thornton. The whole season had boiled down to the big one now, the State AAA Tournament in Mar- ietta. Again the Dogs were underdogs and had to overcome the pressure put on them by overwhelmingly partisan fans. The Dogs found themselves struggling after the first night but managed to pull through and take 5th place. The Dogs were led by 2nds from Bob Johns, Robert Thorntom, and Robert Webb, 3rds were collected by Quinton English and Chip Meyer. The fol- lowing week the Dogs were voted North Metro AAA Team of the year by coaches around the area. Wrestling 185

Page 188 text:

The Newnan Cougars came strolling into the Rockdale gym next and probably wished they had gone back out iust as quickly. By the time our Dogs had gotten through dismantling them, the city of New- nan was probably ready to declare their grapplers a disaster area. Bob Johns, David Cole, Antonio Thornton, and Tony McDonald each contributed 6 points in pins to the 60-3 final score in a match that saw the Rockdale wrestlers do everything imaginable to the lowly Newnan team. Woodward Academy was the next oppo- nent for the Dogs. They saw fit to treat Tucker and Wheeler provided the next opposition as they came into the Rockdale gym on successive nights. The Dogs first whipped Wheeler 50-8 on pins by Quinton English, Ricky Webb, and Antonio Thorn- ton as the Dogs rolled up their second highest point total of the season. Tucker was not such an easy opponent, however, the Dogs rolled over them 43-23 as they closed out their dual meet season unde- feated and ranked second in the state. Though it seems that up to this point the RCHS B-Team has been neglected, it is true. However it is time for them to have their say. This group of outstanding young men did an exceptional iob in representing Rockdale. Though their record was marred by a single defeat, they came through to smash teams such as Marist, Newnan and Towers. They did an excellent iob pushing varsity wrestlers for their weight class and occasionally overcoming them to step out into the spotlight. The B-Team season was highlighted by the demoralizing crushing 184 Wrestling them no differently from any other oppo- nent as the final score showed Rockdale 41-18. Pins were turned in by Chip Meyer, Antonio Thornton, and Tony McDonald. The Dogs next visited Towers, and the thought of having never beaten the Titans on their home mat made this a crucial match in the minds of the Rockdale Wres- tlers. The Dogs opened up a 35-'l2 lead on pins by Quinton English, Robert Thorn- ton, Ricky Webb, and Antonio Thornton. Late inthe match the Titans put on a charge but fell short as the Dogs pulled out a 35- 32 win. they handed to Heritage.

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Nowlwediv Ga But Up The Dogs had a few problems this year. It seemed in every game they were close in, they would hit a cold streak just when the other team got a hot hand. They say expe- rience is the best teacher, and all but one of our Dogs have never played Varsity ball before. They had determination and never gave up in any game. All of their efforts went toward winning, and they had dreams, dreams which will have to wait until next year. They were a team who knew how to lose but fought hard to win. ln the first game of the season our bull- dogs suffered from what could be called first game iitters. Palming, walking and lane violations took their toll in the first half, and fouls hurt the bulldogs through- out the game. Lithonia was strong on rebounding and moved the ball well on offense. Our Bull- dogs fought hard but faced a 15-30 half- time lapse. The Dogs came out ready for the second half but could not get the ball through the hoop. Lithonia was as strong as they were in the first half and kept building on to their lead. Coach Stroud 'I B6 Basketball and his squad showed their determination throughout the game, but inexperience and a good Lithonia defense stifled the chances for a first win. The Dogs fell to defeat 67-37. With the determination shown in this game we have nowhere to go but up. Following a well-played Morrow ga Coach Stroud and the Dogs could not it together in the right fashion in their ond home game against R. E. LEE. Dogs couldn't stop Lee's big man as iumped to the lead and held it.