When looking for top high school wrestlers in the state of Georgia for the 2016-17 season, a Newton County resident wouldn’t have to venture too far from his or her own backyard to find one.

Eastside’s Matt Malcolm proved to be one of the state’s best, after capturing all-state honors two weekends ago, and placing third in the 160 pound division at the Class AAAA state wrestling tournament in Macon.

Malcolm rose to the top of a crop of talented area grapplers by capturing both the regional/area and sectional titles on his way to his bronze finish at state.

Malcolm was one of six Eastside wrestlers who qualified for the state tournament. And one of two Eagles to win region championships. The others were Tae’Sean Mitchell (170 pounds) and Christian Curry.