STATE WRESTLING: Forest Park’s Kenen Uribe-Ochoa makes school history after finishing as state runner-up

By Luke Strickland

MACON — Forest Park High’s Kenen Uribe-Ochoa made school history over the weekend at the Georgia High School Association’s traditional state wrestling tournament.

Uribe-Ochoa became the first wrestler in school history to wrestle for a state championship, finishing second in the Class AAAAAA 120-pound division.

Forest Park finished 20th out of 61 teams, which was also a school record. Uribe-Ochoa, Steven Do, Alan Tran, Roberto Uribe-Ochoa, Peter Phan, Tim Hightower and RayShawn Meiser participated at state for the Panthers. The team finished in the top 20 out of 61 teams in our classification, which is also a school record. . Do missed placing by one match, while Tran missed placing by two rounds.

“Our team’s performance at sectionals last week set us up for success this week,” Forest Park coach Don Williams said. “Our team, but especially these six state qualifiers, worked hard all summer in our room, going to camps and buying into a dedicated work ethic that has proven successful not only for them, but for everyone that goes to work. Their daily technique training is proven and has produced results.

“Not only do we pour into these young men physically, but we have also had the opportunity to pour into them mentally and spiritually,” he continued. “We always break with ‘family on three.’ These men have blessed our coaching staff of Tomika Colon, Don Williams, John Bell and Jose Paz.”