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Daniel Garcia (seated right) led Northside to its first appearance in the 1A dual team wrestling state playoffs in the program’s second season. The Panthers lost at top-seeded Rosewood Monday after a strong finish in the Coastal Plains Conference tournament. Garcia finished last season with four wrestlers and had 14 in uniform for most matches this winter. 12 of the 14 return and Garcia, a former Washington High School wrestling assistant, plans on attracting incoming freshmen and other potential wrestlers to continue to build the program.

“I am so proud of what our team accomplished this season,” Garcia said. “To go from having guys who had never been on a mat to the state tournament this quickly is a testament to their hard work and dedication. This groups has laid a strong foundation for the future.”