Buford High School wrestler DJ Clarke is ITG Next’s January 2025 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month.
Clarke was one of four nominees considered for the award. The other nominees were Bowdon basketball player Kaiden Prothro, Worth County basketball player Ashton Williams, and Woodward Academy basketball player Zac Foster.
Clarke, a junior, has been a member of the Buford wrestling program since his freshman season.
At the time of writing, Clarke’s 2024-2025 season record at Buford is 39-4, and his overall career record with the Wolves is 137-15, according to stats provided by Clarke and Buford boys wrestling head coach Tom Beuglas.
Buford recently finished as the runner-up in the 2025 GHSA Class 6A Boys Team Dual Wrestling State Championship. The Wolves also finished as the runner-up in 2024 in Class 7A.
Clarke finished the 2023-2024 season as the runner-up in the 2024 GHSA Class 7A Traditional Wrestling State Championship in the 113-pound weight class. The 2025 GHSA Traditional Wrestling State Championship will take place on Feb. 13-15.
Clarke’s other accomplishments include winning back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024 in the Greater Miami Valley Wrestling Association Holiday Wrestling Tournament. Blaine competed in the 132-pound weight class at the 2024 tournament, which was held in Vandalia, Ohio, on Dec. 27-28. He won by an 18-7 decision over opponent Blaine DeMarco of Graham Local Wrestling.
Clarke also finished as a finalist in the 132-pound weight class at the 2024 KC Stampede Wrestling Tournament, which was held in Missouri on Dec. 21, 2024.
“DJ is a great choice and definitely very deserving of the Athlete of the Month,” Beuglas said. “He is having a great season and has proven himself as one of the top wrestlers in the state. It is a pleasure to coach him. He is a great kid who comes from a great family.”
Clarke said he was honored and surprised to win the Athlete of the Month award.
“I was honored just to be nominated for the ITG Next Georgia Athlete of the Month,” Clarke said. “I actually thought my dad was busting on me when he told me I had won for January. I really appreciate everyone who voted for me.”
Clarke described the past season and how he felt about his accomplishments.
“I have really enjoyed my junior season,” he said. “My goal since the summer was not to worry about the wins and losses, but to simply become a better wrestler. Sure, I’d love to win them all, but that’s nearly impossible when you’re wrestling the best guys in the country.”
Clarke said competing against the toughest wrestlers he could was part of his goal this year.
“My purpose this year was to chase after the toughest matches, then study the film to help improve my positioning, mat awareness, etc.,” he said. “My dad calls it putting down good film.”
Clarke said there are a lot of people to thank for his success: “I want to thank my high school coaches and, of course, my family, mom, dad, brother, and Coach Sammy Roundtree from RWA (Roundtree Wrestling Academy). They are my anchors.”
Congratulations to Buford wrestler DJ Clarke, ITG Next’s January 2025 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month.
