Back-to-back for Roman Belardo. The Jefferson 2-time state champion is only halfway through his grappling career, though he’s racking up the honors.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 38-5 Record
• State Champion 120 LB (Back-to-Back)

Belardo set the tone last year as a freshman state title. That’s the first step to becoming elite in being an eventual 4-time champion. He’s now halfway down that path, with a 38-5 record in Class 5A. He wrestled at the 120-lb level, and rolled to a second straight title.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Roman Belardo – 77 pts (12 1st-place votes)
2. Hoke Hogan – 51.5 pts (5)
3. Christian Keheley – 32 pts (1)
4. Payton Legatt – 26.5 pts
5. Colton Schuette – 20.5 pts (1)
6. Nathan Nielsen – 20 pts
7. AJ Scott – 5.25 pts

Voting included our 19-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; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Belardo won quite easily despite Hoke Hogan’s perfect record in Class 1A that resulted in a state title. Voters still liked Hogan, however with 5 1st-place votes. Christian Keheley and Colton Schuette each had a 1st-place tally.

HISTORY OF BOYS WRESTLER OF YR

• 2023-24 – Roman Belardo – Jefferson SO
• 2022-23 – Roman Belardo – Jefferson FR
• 2021-22 – Sammy Brown – Jefferson SO
• 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

Roman Belardo becomes the first back-to-back winner since Zach Matthews of Lumpkin won it back-to-back. Belardo is the third different Dragon to win it in the last 6 years, making it 4 of the last 6 overall for Jefferson. Looking ahead, Belardo has a shot to be the first-ever to win it 3 years in a row.