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AREA WRESTLING: Over two dozen local wrestlers qualify for sectionals over the weekend
Social Circle Wrestlers
The Social Circle wrestling team continues its dominance by qualifying 14 wrestlers to traditional sectionals while fielding nine area champions. - photo by Submitted Photo

Thirty-seven area wrestlers and wrestling teams found success during the past weekend’s various area tournaments, propelling a good number to sectionals next weekend with a chance at earning a place in next month’s state tournament. 

It’s, perhaps, no surprise that Social Circle’s grapplers are the headliners of the bunch. The Redskins, fresh off their fourth straight duals state crown, took home the Area 4AA title this past weekend after scoring 311 points and qualifying all 14 of its wrestlers into sectionals at Rockmart this weekend. 

Meanwhile, Eastside took advantage of hosting its own area wrestling tournament by qualifying 12 to this weekend’s sectionals at Woodward Academy. In addition to the qualifiers, Seth Martin (182 pounds) and Christion Curry (Heavyweight) finished the weekend as area champions. 

Not to be outdone, the Newton Rams saw six wrestlers qualify for this coming weekend’s sectionals tournament at Valdosta and Alcovy placed five for their sectionals meet at Lanier High. 

The top four finishers in sectionals tournaments will advance to compete in the Feb. 8-10 state tournament held in Macon.

Here is a complete list of all the area wrestlers who have qualified for next week’s sectionals, as provided by the schools:

Alcovy Tigers

DJ Sutton (120 pounds), Joshua Hillan (126 pounds), Kaleb Crowe (132 pounds), Courtney Burrell, Jr. (195-pounds), James McDonald (220 pounds). 

Eastside Eagles

Area Champions: Seth Martin, Christion Curry; Area Runners-Up: Hunter Fuqua, Kyle Johnson, Seth Besaw, Will Gaither; 3rd Place: Zack Cason, Cory Christian, Kyan Bennett, Ahmari Joseph, Cameron Fleming; 4th Place: Dustin Hewell. 

Eastside Wrestling
Eastside celebrates its 12 sectionals qualifiers and two area champions. - photo by Submitted Photo


Newton Rams

Area Runners-Up: Jordan Reed (285 pounds), Shamal Alexander (145 pounds); 3rd Place: Ryan Burton (160 pounds), Kaweskee Teemer (138 pounds); 4th Place: Patrick Sowell (170 pounds), Josh Forbes (126 pounds). 

Newton Wrestling
The Newton Rams placed six of its wrestlers into this weekend's sectionals tournament in Valdosta. - photo by Submitted Photo

Social Circle Redskins

Area Champions: Tyler Post (106 pounds), Kyle Morris (120 pounds), Justin Ivey (126 pounds), Jackson Wheeler (132 pounds), Mitchell Thompson (145 pounds), Josh Engstrom (152 pounds), Douglas Peppers (160 pounds), Micah Thompson (170 pounds), Rod Nunnally (285 pounds). Area Runners-Up: Jeffery Detweiler (132 pounds), Carson Boyd (182 pounds), Nick Jolly (195 pounds), Caelan Sanders (220 pounds); 4th Place: James Connelly (113 pounds).