Bozeman's Derrick Williams makes history as school's first state wrestling champ

Bay County high school wrestlers competed last weekend in the FHSAA state individual championships in Kissimmee. At the end of the three-day event, it was well represented, with seven athletes finishing in the top eight of their respective weight classes.

Bozeman's Derrick Williams made school history after winning gold by defeating Jensen Beach's Gian Ortiz in the final of the Class 1A 120-pound weight class. Williams becomes the first wrestling state champion in school history.

Here are the other local wrestlers who placed:

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5th place: Preston Neufeld (113) North Bay Haven

5th place: David Mercado (190) North Bay Haven

7th place: Dylan Malott (106) Rutherford

7th place: Andrew Yeats (165) Mosley

7th place: Logan McAlister (285) Mosley

8th place: James Oliver (120) North Bay Haven

Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Derrick Williams wins first FHSAA state wrestling title for Bozeman