By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

The local wrestling teams will be well-represented at the state finals in Macon.

Between Callaway, LaGrange and Troup, there will be 17 wrestlers competing in the state finals that will be held Thursday through Saturday.

To qualify for the finals, the wrestlers first had to make it through the state sectionals that wrapped up on Saturday.

LaGrange and Troup each had eight wrestlers qualify for the state finals, while Callaway had one.

LaGrange had 11 wrestlers competing in the Class AAAA state sectional at Woodward Academy, and eight of them finished eighth or higher to advance.

Among that group is Chase Sams, who finished second at 152 pounds.

De’Erious Sands (120 pounds) finished fourth, John Todd Bohn (126 pounds) was fifth, Quindon Dunson (132 pounds) placed seventh, and Lane Oliver (106 pounds), John Arthur (160 pounds), Jordan Ragan (195 pounds) and Richard Gaskin (285 pounds) placed eighth.

Dexter Fitzpatrick (170 pounds) finished ninth to just miss qualifying, and he’ll be an alternate.

Troup brought 13 wrestlers to the Class AAAA state sectional at Woodward Academy, and eight of them advanced.

Chase Seals (132 pounds), who has won every tournament he has competedin this season, won his eight class.

Byron Butts (182 pounds) was second, Scott Hicks (152 pounds) was fourth, Colby Harry (285) finished fifth, and Brantly Robinson (126 pounds), Pearson Strickland (106 pounds), Trey Harris (145 pounds) and Quenton Kersey (195 pounds) were seventh.

Troup’s Darius Hanson and Dre Flagg finished ninth, and Michael Irvin was 10th.

For Callaway, Ken Wilson finished seventh at 113 pounds to advance to the state finals.