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Key matchups

Unfortunately, these will take place before Saturday’s finals:

• Class AAAAA, 119 pounds: McEachern’s Brandon Westerman could meet Sam Spradlin of Camden County in the quarterfinals.

• Class AAAAA, 112 pounds: Four excellent wrestlers are in line to face each other in the second round and quarterfinals: Arnulfo Vega of Brookwood; Peachtree Ridge’s Andrew Sartain; Ryan Maus of Kennesaw Mountain and Pope’s Dexter Bushart.

• Class AAA, 119 pounds: A year ago, Henry County’s Evan Warrington and Zak Moore of Apalachee met in the 103-pound final with Warrington winning a 5-2 decision. This year, they could meet in the 119-pound quarterfinals.

• Class AAAAA, 130 pounds: Unbeaten Ty Nielson of Milton could face Harrison’s Ryan Medved in the quarterfinals, perhaps two rounds too soon.

• Class AAAAA, 160 pounds: The top two 160-pounders, North Gwinnett’s Travis Sheehy and Bradley Banks of Union Grove are headed for a showdown in the quarterfinals.

Five trying to finally win state titles

• Travis Sheehy, North Gwinnett: Sheehy (53-2) was one match from placing as a freshman and ran into Jesse Miller of Parkview in the 135-pound final in 2006 and Carrington Banks in the 152-pound final last year. If it’s finally Sheehy’s time to break through and win a state title, he’ll have to go through Carrington’s brother, Bradley, to get it.

• Carson Fields, Parkview: It’s something new every year for Fields. As a freshman, he broke a rib the week of Traditional state and finished sixth at 103. He didn’t make weight for the 103-pound final his sophomore year and took second last season when he hurt a shoulder at State Duals and missed the rest of the season. This year Fields is 59-2 and the 135-pound favorite in Class AAAAA.

• Shane Summerlin, Benedictine: A runner-up the last two years, Summerlin has lost just three matches and is one of the favorites in a tough 119-pound weight class in Class AAA.

• T.J. Bell, Bremen: Bell has lost in the Class A finals two consecutive seasons, both times to a Jefferson wrestler. If he gets to the final this year, a Jefferson wrestler (Cam Thurmond) could be waiting again.

• Nielson, Milton: Nielson qualified for the state tournament the past two years but failed to land a spot on the podium. This season should be different. Nielson (41-0) looks like a sure thing to place and possibly win at 135 pounds.

Same faces, new places

Mitchell isn’t the only transfer making an impact. Six others who have thrived in a new singlet:

• Cody Durden, Eastside: Durden was a state qualifier at Newton County last season. In his first year with the Eagles, he has a shot at making it out of the top half of the 103 bracket in Class AAAA.

• Jon and Nick Isburgh, Grayson: South Gwinnett transfers, Jon is 47-7 at 125 pounds, Nick 40-10 at 119.

• Josh Boler, Apalachee: The 215-pounder moved in from Maryland where he was a state champion. At 53-1 with six Outstanding Wrestler awards, he just might win a title in Georgia.

• Lucas and Peter Mosher, Harrison: Cass transfers Lucas (31-16 at 112) and Peter (43-14 at 119) have solidified the Hoyas’ lower weights.

Take the bus

These teams will have all 14 wrestlers competing in Gwinnett:

• Union Grove: In the relatively weak Area 2-AAAAA, the Wolverines put all 14 wrestlers in the finals and had 12 champions.

• Harrison: On the flip side, the Hoyas won the more competitive Area 5-AAAAA and had four champions.

• Stockbridge: The defending Traditional champions have flown a bit under the radar, remain as a front-runners in Class AAAA with Eastside.

• Cass: The Colonels waltzed through Area 6-AAA and head into the Class AAA tournament as the favorites.

• Apalachee: The trio of Austin Sheppard, Zak Moore and Boler give the Wildcats a shot at a top-5 finish in Class AAA.

• Jefferson: Same old story in Class A. The Dragons bring an entire roster to Gwinnett with the idea of winning their eighth consecutive state championship.

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