Talk about a stellar season…unbeaten, a region title and a state championship. Capping off an illustrious wrestling career. Devin Sullens moved swiftly from the gridiron to the mat, and dominated to elevate himself to Wrestler of the Year status after finally winning his first state title after being a state finalist 3 times.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 34-0 Record
• State Champion in Class 3A (220 lb)
• Region Champion in 7-AAA
• 158-39 Career Record
• 3X Region Champion
• 3X State Finalist

Sullens was a flawless 34-0, making him 158-39 for his career at White County. The region champion went on to win the state championship after finishing as runner-up the past two times. He leaves White County as a 3-time region champion as well.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Devin Sullens – 51 pts (9 1st-place votes)
2. Elijah Burns – 34 (2)
3. Miles Watts – 21.5
4. Davis Dollar – 21.5 (1)
5. Jake Frates – 21 (1)
6. Dalton King – 7

Sullens was the consensus favorite for the award, but runner-up Elijah Burns got 2 first-place tallies, and Davis Dollar and Jake Frates also got one each.

Voting included our 13-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts

HISTORY OF WRESTLER OF THE YEAR

• 2020-21 – Devin Sullens – White Co SR
• 2019-20 – Nolan Wheeler – Lumpkin Co SR
• 2018-19 – Ryan Hurd – Jefferson SR
• 2017-18 – Chase Forrester – Commerce SR
• 2016-17 – Zach Matthews – Lumpkin Co SR
• 2015-16 – Zach Matthews – Lumpkin Co JR
• 2014-15 – Chris McCrackin – Banks Co JR
• 2013-14 – Chance McClure – Commerce SR
• 2012-13 – Chance McClure – Commerce JR
• 2011-12 – Coleman Cunningham – Habersham Central SR
• 2010-11 – Caleb Morris – White Co JR
• 2009-10 – Caleb Morris – White Co SO

Sullens marks the first White County grappler to win it since Caleb Morris in back-to-back seasons over a decade ago. Sullens also becomes the fifth straight senior to claim it. It’s now a 3-way tie for White County, Lumpkin County, and Commerce on 3 WOY awards.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?

With Sullens graduating, as well as Burns and Frates, you have to like Davis Dollar and Miles Watts. However, the programs around the area regularly churn out champion wrestlers, so we’re not quick to really make anyone a front-runner right now.