With the upcoming GHSA State Championships (Traditional), it’s worth taking a look back at the exclusive list of 4-time state champs. In total, there have only been 49 such athletes. Five of those 49, roughly 10%, are local from our coverage area.

KYLE BAIRD – JEFFERSON ’07

Kyle Baird won state titles at Jefferson from 2004-07 for the Dragons. The alum returned to JHS and now heads up the very program he poured so much into as a standout wrestler. He was 184-18 during his time at Jefferson, including a 56-2 senior year. Competing also in baseball, track and field, and cross country, he went on to wrestle at Gardner-Webb University.

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DALTON FLINT – COMMERCE ’17

Dalton Flint was fantastic at Commerce, winning four state titles from 2014-17. The Tigers’ great is a BLITZ Hall of Famer and was the 32nd in state history at the time to be a 4-time champ. He went 126-11 overall, also winning four area titles, and helping Commerce win both the duals and traditional state championships each year. He went on to wrestle at Emmanuel College, and in high school also played football and tennis.

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FORREST GARNER – JEFFERSON ’05

Forrest Garner wrestled for the Dragons from 2002-05 and earned gold each time. He was an unbelievable 226-3 overall, and was an 8-time All-American, winning National Championship honors as well. He went on to coach at Commerce as well, assisting that program to three straight championships, and then went to East Jackson as the head coach before then going to Banks County as an assistant coach. At the college level, he competed at Anderson (SC).

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HUNTER GARNER – JEFFERSON ’03

Before brother Forrest was dominating, Hunter Garner was showing him how to get it done. From 2000-03, he was atop the heap and became the 15th grappler ever at the time to go for the 4-peat. He won state titles at 140, 152, and 160, and was the Georgia Wrestler of the Year his senior season. He went on to wrestle at Anderson University

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CHANCE MCCLURE – COMMERCE ’14

One of the all-time greats, Chance McClure led Commerce to four straight championships. He went 47-0 as a junior and 39-0 as a senior, finishing his career at 191-2 overall, winning at 189 LB and then three times at 220 LB. He went on to wrestle at the D-I level at the University of Virginia, and returned to the Tigers as the head coach, where he remains. He is a BLITZ Hall of Famer.