Newton Citizen

COVINGTON -- The dream still lives for 18 local wrestlers to walk away with a state championship after competing in the sectionals, which concluded Saturday.

Eastside leads the group, sending six competitors to the Georgia High School Association traditional state wrestling tournament at the Macon Centreplex staring at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Rockdale is next with five, Alcovy with four, and Newton, Salem and Heritage are sending one.

Wrestling for Eastside in Class AAAA are Levi Leach (113 pounds), Kevin Thompson (120), Tyler Campbell (152), Mitchell Troutman (182) and Garrett Yates (195).

Competing in Class AAAAAA are Rockdale's Alonzo Allen (106), Ulises Ponce (132), Clif Casura (138), Anthony Banks (170) and Luis Galindo (182); Alcovy's Justin Howell (145), Austin Richardson (160), Parfait Fondsegof (170) and Kamari Williams (182); and Newton's AJ Palomino (220).

Wrestling in Class AAAAA are Salem's Reggie Hurt (120) and Heritage's Julian George (145).

The matches will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The quarterfinals start at 9 a.m. Friday. Those not winning their opening matches Thursday will be back on the mat at 11 a.m. for the first round of wrestle backs with the second round of wrestle backs starting at 3 p.m. The consolation quarterfinals will begin at 5 p.m. with the championship semifinals starting at 7 p.m.

Championship Saturday beings at 9:30 a.m. with the consolation semifinals followed by the consolation finals at 11 a.m.

After a break, the championship bouts will begin at 3 p.m. following the opening ceremonies.