Alexander completed another first on Saturday, qualifying 13 wrestlers to the state tourney next weekend in Macon. The Cougars sent a representative from all 14 weight classes to the AAAA West Sectionals in Pickens County over the weekend and then moved all but the 160-pound weight class on to the next level.

“This is important to us because it is a school record but it is also about the state title and we knew we had to get numbers in,” said AHS coach Sean Moistner. “I feel like we can score points in every weight class.”

Alexander was led by 106-pounder Trae Green and 170-pounder DeAndre Sims. Both grapplers came out of the West Sectionals undefeated, grabbing No. 1 seeds for State. Green won his championship match on Sunday 6-1. Sims won 17-6.

“DeAndre is just dominant,” Moistner said. “If he wrestles the match the way he should wrestle and controls position, then I don’t think there is anyone in the state who can compete with him.”

“Green had another dominating performance,” Moistner added. “He did what he needed to do.”

Dickerson also had a chance to win the 152-pound division but early in the first period he re-injured his shoulder. He tried to wrestling through it but eventually had forfeit due to the injury. He did grab the second seed and should be ready to go again by next weekend.

Cody Starnes (120), Roman Boylen (126), and Maverick Way (285) each won their 3rd-4th place match.

“Cody had a great bounce back match after losing to a kid in the semifinals,” Moistner said. “Roman has literally been injured all season long. We are finally starting to get the old Roman back and I am excited.”

“Maverick should have been in the finals,” Moistner added. “He needs to push the pace and score more points but I expect him to be there at the end.”

Also qualifying for state are Chris Achenbach (4th, 132), Deon Evans (5th, 195), Canon McKinney (5th, 220), Spencer Grey (6th, 182), Bryce Hollomon (7th, 113), Morgan Hollomon (7th, 138), and Cody Johnson (7th, 145).

Moistner was particularly happy with the performance of Achenbach, who grabbed the last seed (fourth) to qualify at the region tourney and then fought through the field for a fourth seed at Sectionals.

“Chris had done what we asked him to do and is staying focused on the mat,” Moistner said. “We told him at the beginning of the year that we have to have him scoring points for us.”

The AAAA State Tourney in Macon will kick off on Thursday and run through Saturday.