Rockdale wrestler Alonzo Allen has done it again.
The Bulldogs senior captured his second consecutive state title last weekend at the Georgia High School Association Class AAAAAA traditional dual championships, going a perfect 4-0 at the event in his fourth trip to the state tournament.
Allen was the lone state champion in Region 2-AAAAAA, leading seven Rockdale representatives at the event.
Allen recorded a pair of wins by major decision and a technical fall victory in his opening match before besting Chattahoochee’s Jordan Pitt by an 11-4 decision in the championship final.
“Alonzo achieved something that is quite remarkable, being a four-time state finalist and two-time state champion,” Rockdale coach Chris Hargrove said. “He is in an elite group of wrestlers in the history of GHSA wrestling. His dedication, character and work ethic have gotten him where he is today.”
Allen began his tournament run with a 17-2 tech fall win over Meadowcreek’s Malik Saunders, reaching the tournament semifinals with a follow-up win over Archer’s Gio Fernandez. Allen breezed through his match with Fernandez, besting Archer’s best by a 16-4 major decision.
The eventual state champ clinched a spot in the title match with a 13-5 major decision over Wheeler’s Aslan Kilic before defeating Pitt in the finals.
Allen’s victory help clinch a 14th place finish for the Bulldogs at the event, with 37.5 total points. Rockdale finished just outside of the top 10, six points behind 10th place Brookwood.
The Bulldogs had six others compete at the event, including Tyrone Hearn, Clifton Casurra, Ronzell Teague, Sean Mer, Luis Galindo and Michael Mason.
Galindo put together the Bulldogs’ second best record at the event, at 182 points and 2-2 overall. Galindo earned a 5-4 decision over Douglas County’s Travis Beaird before surrendering to Kennesaw Mountain’s Justan Rivera by pinfall in the quarterfinal round.
Galinda recovered with a pin over Walton’s Colin Fant in the consolation bracket, but was elminated from the tournament in the next round by a 15-4 major decision by Camden County’s Josh Wilcox.
Hern (132), Casurra (138), Mer (160) and Mason (285) recorded 1-2 records in the state tournament, while Teague dropped his first two contests at 145 pounds.
“Having seven state qualifiers is something we are very pleased with,” Hargrove said. “Our guys wrestled hard at the sectional to earn a spot at the state tournament.
“Looking forward, we are going to have to improve in our overall toughness to get more wrestlers on the podium,” he said. “Several of our guys were a few matches short of the medal rounds, and we will need to become more mentally and physically strong for next season.”
Harris leads Patriots
David Harris led the Heritage Patriots with a 2-2 record at the Class AAAAA traditional state duals, opening his weekend with a 5-3 victory over North Paulding’s Dylan Parson in the 113-pound division.
Harris fell in the state quarterfinals to Ware County’s Luke Littlefied by pin, but answered that loss with a 10-1 major decision victory over Thomas County’s Conley Wilhelm.
Harris’ weekend ended in the consolation bracket with a narrow 2-1 loss to South Paulding’s Patrick Lachin.
Lifahn Adams picked up the Patriots only other win at the state event, going 1-2 overall at 106 pounds. Donnell Smith represented Heritage at 132 pounds and finished 0-2 overall.
