It was a clean sweep for North Forsyth and West Forsyth in state sectionals over the weekend, with the Raiders and Wolverines advancing all 18 of their qualifying wrestlers to this week’s traditional state finals. North and West both sent nine qualifiers to sectionals.
Leading the way was West’s Dane Magnussen. Looking to defend his Class AAA state title from a year ago, the senior 285-pounder plowed through the East Sectional at Eagle’s Landing in McDonough, claiming first place.
“The fact that we put four in the [sectional] finals is pretty awesome,” West coach Dennis Stromie said.
“Eight of our nine got top-six, that’s pretty good. Hopefully it’s a small indicator of a little bit better draw [in the state finals].”
North’s top performance came from Tristan Bourque, who finished second in his sectional and earned a measure of revenge in the process.
Bourque lost a 7-5 decision to Peachtree Ridge opponent Josh Bloodworth in the area tournament, but scored a takedown with 26 seconds to go and earned a 4-3 decision in their rematch at sectionals.
“Just qualifying [for state finals] is pretty close to a standout performance,” North coach Travis Jarrard said.
“None of the nine went below where we expected them to.”
Forsyth Central will have three representatives in the state finals, after sending six to sectionals. South Forsyth advanced two wrestlers, after sending four to sectionals.
The state finals will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
Along with Magnussen and Bourque, the following local wrestlers are still in the state title hunt.
Class AAA
• Cody Westray, West Forsyth (103 pounds)
• Garrett Tedone, WF (119)
• Tyler Lott, WF (125)
• Evan Burchette, WF (130)
• Tyler Everton, WF (145)
• Ross Anderskow, WF (152)
• Matt Hatcher, WF (160)
• Jeff Sayer, WF (215)
Class AAAA
• Marco Vanderwant, Forsyth Central (125)
• John Taylor, FC (152)
• David Esbeck, FC (215)
Class AAAAA
• Dylan Cross, North Forsyth (103)
• Ryan Marionneaux, South Forsyth (103)
• Ryan Cross, NF (130)
• Chris O’Connor, NF (135)
• Alex Lanier, NF (140)
• Chris Ray, NF (145)
• Devon Polsin, SF (152)
• Elliot Bourne, NF (160)
• Zach Wilson, NF (171)
• Brian Kennedy, NF (189)
Sports Editor Jared Putnam contributed to this article
Leading the way was West’s Dane Magnussen. Looking to defend his Class AAA state title from a year ago, the senior 285-pounder plowed through the East Sectional at Eagle’s Landing in McDonough, claiming first place.
“The fact that we put four in the [sectional] finals is pretty awesome,” West coach Dennis Stromie said.
“Eight of our nine got top-six, that’s pretty good. Hopefully it’s a small indicator of a little bit better draw [in the state finals].”
North’s top performance came from Tristan Bourque, who finished second in his sectional and earned a measure of revenge in the process.
Bourque lost a 7-5 decision to Peachtree Ridge opponent Josh Bloodworth in the area tournament, but scored a takedown with 26 seconds to go and earned a 4-3 decision in their rematch at sectionals.
“Just qualifying [for state finals] is pretty close to a standout performance,” North coach Travis Jarrard said.
“None of the nine went below where we expected them to.”
Forsyth Central will have three representatives in the state finals, after sending six to sectionals. South Forsyth advanced two wrestlers, after sending four to sectionals.
The state finals will be held Thursday through Saturday at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
Along with Magnussen and Bourque, the following local wrestlers are still in the state title hunt.
Class AAA
• Cody Westray, West Forsyth (103 pounds)
• Garrett Tedone, WF (119)
• Tyler Lott, WF (125)
• Evan Burchette, WF (130)
• Tyler Everton, WF (145)
• Ross Anderskow, WF (152)
• Matt Hatcher, WF (160)
• Jeff Sayer, WF (215)
Class AAAA
• Marco Vanderwant, Forsyth Central (125)
• John Taylor, FC (152)
• David Esbeck, FC (215)
Class AAAAA
• Dylan Cross, North Forsyth (103)
• Ryan Marionneaux, South Forsyth (103)
• Ryan Cross, NF (130)
• Chris O’Connor, NF (135)
• Alex Lanier, NF (140)
• Chris Ray, NF (145)
• Devon Polsin, SF (152)
• Elliot Bourne, NF (160)
• Zach Wilson, NF (171)
• Brian Kennedy, NF (189)
Sports Editor Jared Putnam contributed to this article