The Black Watch wrestling squad, a Team Georgia USA Youth Wrestling Club out of Covington, sent 21 youth wrestlers last weekend to qualify for the state wrestling tournament, which will be held March 14 at Whitewater in Fayette.

In their inaugural season, the wrestlers competed at two of the state's five state qualifier tournaments, which were held in Fayette, Roswell, Jefferson, Carrolton and Camden.

Coached by Greg Brickell and William Wells, Kevin Thompson, Jeremy Fuller and Alex Conn competed at the state qualifier tournament at Carrollton.

Meanwhile, Jackson Wheeler, Austin Parish, Sam Walden, Stevie Howard, A.J. Howard, Alex Parish, Rory Barber, Gabriel Courtman, William Gann, Jed Wheeler, Daniel Whitlow, Dalton Wheeler, Brandon Gatt, Adam Walden, Zach Hutcheson, Kyle Barronton and Kyle Wright wrestled at the qualifier at Jefferson, and were coached by Gabe Gamadanis and Micheal Liab.

A wrestler must finish in the top three of his respective weight and age group with one qualifier (the most crowded) taking the top four wrestlers. So, to qualify for the state wrestling tournament a wrestler would be one of the top (16) wrestlers in his respective age and weight class in the state.

Conn was the only wrestler to finish first place in his weight and age class of 14 and under 190 pounds.

Black Watch also had four second place qualifiers, including A.J. Howard (12 and under 85), Gatt (12 and under 91), Wheeler (12 and under 112) and Fuller (14 and under 175).

The third place state qualifiers were Barber (12 and under 95) and Daniel Whitlow (12 and under 130).

For more information about Black Watch Wrestling, contact Gamadanis at (404) 935-8886 or send e-mail to gabegama@yahoo.com.