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Published Monday, February 08, 2010 in Sports

Askey earns title, as Vikings send six to state

By Chris Goltermann

The Newnan Times-Herald

Five of Northgate's six senior wrestlers were able to move on to this week's state wrestling sectionals at Upson-Lee after finishing in the top-four at the Area 5-AAAA tournament at Fayette County.

But it was the Vikings' phenomenal freshman that led the way.

Tyler Askey dominated at 140-pounds to both earn his first area championship and remain unbeaten. While in his first year of varsity competition, Askey has dominated at the state level in USA Wrestling events as well as nationally, where he has won freestyle, folk and Greco-Roman competitions.

Askey's latest victory came with a pin of Alexander's Omar Ansari in Saturday's area finals. In all, six Vikings now advance to the state tournament, beginning with this week's Class AAAA West Sectionals at Upson-Lee High School starting Friday.

Alexander came away with the 5-AAAA championship with an impressive 223 points, ahead of Whitewater and Fayette County. The Cougars finished with four individual winners including at 189-pounds with nationally-ranked Ethan Blackstock.

Viking senior Aric Anderson equally had an impressive tournament, placing second at 189 while running head-long into Blackstock in the finals before being pinned.

Also advancing to this week's sectionals were seniors Justin Alderman (135), Kyle Hennen (145) and Jeffrey Higgins (152) -- each finishing fourth. Northgate's other senior, Tre Robinson, won three matches after beefing up to 171 pounds, reaching the semifinals before falling in the wrestlebacks.

Northgate was without two of its starters. Kyle Black was out at 112 pounds with a hand injury and David Higgins missed the tournament at 125 pounds, due to an illness.

The top eight finishers at Friday and Saturday's West Sectionals will advance to the Class AAAA Sweet 16 from Feb. 18-20.

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