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Archer Wins Fourth Straight State Wrestling Title

By Gwinnett Daily Post, 02/18/16, 9:00AM EST

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Archer wins fourth straight state wrestling title

 

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DULUTH — Four years ago, Archer wrestling coach Tom Beuglas knew he had a special freshman class. If things went their way, the program could possibly win four straight state championships.

All of that came true on Saturday at the Infinite Energy Arena.

Archer had eight state places, including three state champions to score 172.5 points and easily claim the Class AAAAAA traditional state championship. It was their fourth straight state title.

 

“When the Bullards and Diaz were freshman, I thought we could win it four times,” Beuglas said. “You look at the big picture, it’s hard to swallow all of the success they have had.”

Chris Diaz and Thomas and Daniel Bullard helped fuel Archer’s grip on Class AAAAAA the last four years. In additional to win four traditional state titles, the Tigers also claimed four dual state championships, which included never losing a dual meet the last four years.

“I love my team. These past four years, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Diaz said. “These guys are the hardest working guys in the state. I love my teammates.”

Archer won 12 tournaments this season and the only one they lost was the Kansas City Stampede when the Tigers were runner-up. Archer was consistently ranked in the top 25 in the nation, including No. 18 by USA Wrestling.

“That was when our rash of injuries started,” Beuglas said.

Archer lost two of its top wrestlers for the season due to injury in January. Vinny Artigues, a state runner-up a year ago, and nationally ranked Jacob Lill. Quinn Miller suffered a back injury, but was able to return to the lineup.

That forced Archer to use a different lineup each week, but it allowed some younger wrestlers to gain some experience. Gabriel Lee was put in the lineup at 160 and made his way all the way to the state finals as a runner-up.

“Lee lost by one. As a freshman we were excited he got second,” Beuglas said.

But the backbone of Archer was the Bullard’s and Diaz and all three have signed to wrestling at N.C. State next season.

Daniel and Thomas finished their high school careers the first twin brothers to win four individual state championships each.

“That’s my first time having a four-time state champion and I got two in one day,” said Beugals, who has been coaching for 23 years. “To do that you have to not be injured, sick or upset. I was pretty happy to have the opportunity to coach them.”

 
 

After losing in the state finals as a freshman and sophomore, Diaz emerged as a back-to-back state champion.

“After losing my freshman and sophomore year, to finally be here and go through everything it feels great,” Diaz said.

Archer’s other state placers were Lee and Miller (220) as runner-ups, while Gavin Smith (120) was third, Logan Smith (132) was fifth and Chase Degrenier (152) was sixth.

“A couple of guys we didn’t expect to be there made it,” Diaz said. “They made the jump and they will be back.”

Now that the Bullards and Diaz are graduating, the tough part for the Archer program is to find a way to win a fifth straight title.

Collins Hill was the last to do it from 2008-12.

Archer will return five state placers next season.

“A lot of people think once we leave, Archer is going to be down,” Diaz said. “We still have a lot of good guys on the team.”