This weekend's GHSA Traditional Wrestling state championships will be a family reunion for the Hennebauls, who have provided volunteers for the event since it was moved to Gwinnett Arena in 2004. At least a dozen family members will serve as volunteers, led by Bud Hennebaul as tournament director.
His mother, Marianne Hannebaul, oversees the hospitality for officials and 225 volunteers, while his wife, Beverly, is the Class AAAAA computer scorer. His sister, Terri Smith, is the Class AAAA computer scorer, and his niece, Angela Dover, does the same for Class A. His brother, Jerry Hennebaul, is the table-workers supervisor.
Another brother, Rick Hennebaul, is a mat official (the only one paid). Several more relatives volunteer in smaller roles.
One family member will be missing -- his father, Walt Hennebaul, 70, who died in December. He was a longtime assistant tournament director.
"It will be difficult without having my dad there, and it is difficult in these days leading up to the tournament," Bud said.
"He was as large a part of wrestling in the state of Georgia from youth wrestling, high school wrestling, and even college as anyone has been. He is one of a handful of people that have been the reason Georgia's wrestling has grown to be one of the top 10 states in the nation for participation."
Swimming
After the Wesleyan boys won the Class AAAA-A state championship in swimming late Saturday night, coach Colin Creel leaped in the pool to celebrate with his team.
It was another yet another big splash for Wesleyan, which registered one of the more dominating performances in the history of the state meet. The Gwinnett powerhouse swam away with the team title by nearly 100 points.
Wesleyan won state championships in six events and finished runner-up in three others, while breaking nine school records and two state records in the process.
"Blood, sweat and tears," is how Creel explained his team's showing. "These kids were determined to achieve their goal. Everyone must consider the cost in life. These young men were willing to pay the price."
Timothy Marsh, Chase Bartlett, Will Gregory and Anthony McMurry broke the state record in the 200 freestyle relay (1:24.85). Michael Reynolds and Nick Salyers joined Bartlett and McMurry to set the new state mark in the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.53).
"On a personal note, I lost my mother and my grandmother during the season, and these young men and women kept me going all season long," Creel said. "They are some of the finest young people I've ever encountered."
The Marist girls won the Class AAAA-A championship for the fifth consecutive year, with coach Terry Blish being tossed into the pool by his assistant coaches. Marist accomplished the feat despite not finishing first in any events.
The Lassiter girls and Peachtree Ridge boys were Class AAAAA champions.
Basketball
Greater Atlanta Christian boys coach Eddie Martin registered his 600th career victory in Friday's win over Cross Keys. The Spartans are the defending Class AA champions. Two DeKalb County coaches also recently hit the 200-win milestone, James Hartry of the Tucker boys and Kathy Walton of the Southwest DeKalb girls. Walton's teams have won the past three Class AAAA state championships.
Columbia High boys coach Phil McCrary was given a surprise ceremony on Senior Night in front of the home crowd last weekend. He posted career win No. 500 last month when the team was on the road.
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