We announced recently the 2022-23 Wrestler of the Year Finalists for both boys and girls. Then a select group of nominees who didn’t make our finalist pool were put up for public vote to be the ‘Last Finalist’ to join those already locked in. The boys ‘Last Finalist’ vote winner was Nathan Nielsen (Lumpkin) who took 11,708 of the 24,772 total tallies; the girls winner was Jefferson’s Millie Hughes, who took 581 of the 951 total votes. The finalists are now set.

The boys finalists are: Roman Beldardo (Jefferson), Payton Legatt (Union), Austin Marshall (Lumpkin), Nathan Nielsen (Lumpkin), Dallas Russell (Jefferson), and Kellon Walley (Banks).

The girls finalists are: Greta Garbuzovas (Lumpkin), Nora Garbuzovas (Lumpkin), Millie Hughes (Jefferson), and Ollie Kate Weiland (White).

WHAT’S NEXT? BLITZ has an internal voting panel that will vote on the finalists to determine the BLITZ Wrestler of the Year. The voting is Heisman-style, as each finalist is ranked by every voter, which generates a points system to determine the winning finalist.

BOYS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Roman Belardo – Jefferson FR 113 LB
41-5 – 5A State Champion

Payton Legatt – Union County SO 157 LB
40-5 – 2A State 3rd

Austin Marshall – Lumpkin County JR 132 LB
42-12 – 3A State Champion

Nathan Nielsen – Lumpkin County SO 138 LB
33-14 – 3A State Champion

Dallas Russell – Jefferson FR 132 LB
44-6 – 5A State Champion

Kellon Walley – Banks County SR 157 LB
13-4 – 2A State Champion

GIRLS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Greta Garbuzovas – Lumpkin County FR 140 LB
49-0 – State Champion!

Nora Garbuzovas – Lumpkin County FR 135 LB
22-2 – State 3rd

Millie Hughes – Jefferson SO 125 LB
21-9 – State 3rd

Ollie Kate Weiland – White County SO 105 LB
40-11 – State Champion!

LAST FINALIST VOTE RESULTS: