Three out of the four Pickens Dragons who attended The Sectional Tournament this past weekend qualified for the state tournament, which will be held in Gwinnett next weekend. In a sectionals tournament, a wrestler has to place in the top eight in order to participate in the state tournament. Last weekend, the Dragons took part in the 7-AAA Traditional Area tournament to determine who would move on to sectionals this past weekend. The team qualified three wrestlers to move on to sectionals at Woodward Academy, but because of the injury to Gilmer’s heavyweight, Pickens was able to bring Trey Hampton, who placed fifth in the tournament in Allatoona. Other qualifiers for sectionals were John Riddle (145 pounds), Chase McCowan (189), and Aaron Lohman (215).

In the first round, Riddle faced Gainey of Woodward Academy. Gainy won via technical pin 19-4. The loss dropped Riddle to the consolation bracket, where he wrestled McGrady of Crisp County, winning by pin. After losing to Kelley of Columbus, Riddle dropped down to another set of consolation brackets. There, he was able to stand up against Wright of Americus, but lost to Richardson of Lagrange by one point. Riddle will not be participating in the AAA Traditional State Tournament this weekend.

McCowan had a great weekend, winning five of seven matches. His initial match was against Akins of Westover, and McCowan won 11-4. He then met Diallo of McNair, who pinned McCowan in the second period. He won two consolation matches in a row before dropping down to wrestle for fifth and sixth place. Middlebrooks, of North Atlanta, fought hard; however, McCowan was able to walk away with one more point than his opponent, earning fifth place.

Lohman lost his first match against, Ray of Druid Hills, before picking up a bye in the consolation brackets. He then wrestled, Williams of Lagrange, and Barner, of McNair, getting his hand raised at the end of both matches. However, in the consolation semis, Lohman met up with Ray once again, getting pinned in the first period. He placed sixth after wrestling Fraire, of Southeast Whitfield.

Hampton lost his first round match to one of the many good wrestlers from the host school, Woodward Academy. After dropping down to the consolation brackets, he wrestled Morris, of Central Carrolton, winning 1-0. Johnson of Cairo was Pickens’ next victim as Hampton picked up another win. Hart, of Troup County, pinned Hampton in the second period. The loss caused Hampton to drop down to wrestle for seventh or eighth place. Jones of Crisp County was not able to defeat the Dragon in this match, as Trey scored eleven points against Jones’ two. Hampton was able to take home seventh place this weekend.