Colby Yates, The Times 2008 Wrestler of the Year, will continue his wrestling career at Belmont-Abbey College in Belmont, N.C.

Yates highlighted his career with a senior season that included a 57-2 record, and being named Hall County champion, Area 7-AAA champion (lightweight most valuable wrestler) and a second place finish at the traditional state wrestling meet in Class AAA at 130 pounds.

He finished first in every meet he competed in during his senior season prior to the state meet at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, and he was named the most outstanding wrestler of the Blessed Trinity tournament.

"I think he'll do really well at the college level," said Rod Galvan, former wrestling coach at West Hall. "He'll finally get some college coaching and have some good workout partners that will make him better."

Belmont-Abbey is a member of Conference Carolinas in NCAA Division II.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misidentified the location of Belmont-Abbey.