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Published Friday, February 05, 2010 in Sports

Host Indians land four No. 1 seeds

By Chris Goltermann

The Newnan Times-Herald

Nine schools will again flock to East Coweta, which hosts the Area 4-AAAAA wrestling championships for the second consecutive year, beginning today at 5 p.m.

But the road to a title this weekend at John Thrower Gym expects to again run through the Indians program.

Defending champion East Coweta takes four No. 1 seeds into the area tournament, where wrestlers will be vying for berths in next week's Class AAAAA State Sectionals.

The top-four finishers in each weight class this weekend advance to the round of 16 at the West Sectionals to be held at Tift County High. The top eight from each sectional then advance to the GHSA state championships on Feb. 18-20, at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.

The road to Gwinnett, however, begins today for both East Coweta and Newnan, which each have their share of seeded wrestlers headed into the 4-AAAAA tournament.

Senior siblings Hart and Hunter Buchanan lead the way, each garnering top seeds at 103 and 112 pounds, with each hoping to end stellar three-year careers in the Indians program on a high note.

"Those Buchanan boys have just been so fun to watch," said Newnan head coach Tom Everett. "They're outstanding wrestlers and just great kids too."

Both East Coweta and Lovejoy earned four No. 1 seeds among the 14 weight classes, while Westlake had three. The only other 4-AAAAA schools to get a top seed were Mundy's Mill (2) and Pebblebrook (1).

The Indians' other No. 1 seeds came at 119 pounds with Eric Nelson and the 130 weight class with Austin Wood. All four came at weights 130 or under and Indian lightweights will be expected to carry the load.

East Coweta has lost wrestlers at 189 and 215 pounds including junior Kenny Reeves, who has been hampered by a knee injury. The Indians' only seeded wrestler above 145 pounds is heavyweight Austin Mathis, who was seeded fourth.

Senior Blake Ginger, who was outstanding in the final month of the regular season, will also be a favorite for East Coweta at 145 pounds, where he is seeded second to Lovejoy's Corey Alexander.

Drew Higgins (125) and freshman Aaron Crankshaw (135) each earned top-three seeds for the Indians following strong finishes to the regular season. Connor Cox was seeded fifth at 140 pounds, behind Newnan's Lucas Malcom.

Malcom, arguably Newnan's most consistent wrestler this season, was one of 10 Cougars to be seeded for the tournament, more than East Coweta's eight. Only one, however, is ranked higher than fourth. Freshman Austin Payton earned one of the three seeds given to wrestlers at 119 pounds.

"Last year I think some of our guys surprised at area," said Everett. "I don't think we'll be able to surprise anybody like that again."

In addition to Malcom, Caleb Sprinks and Alec Naurus also qualified for last year's sectionals for Newnan. Spinks is ranked fifth at 145 pounds and Nauras earned the No. 4 seed at 160 pounds.

Other returners with area experience include Brian Shea, who is seeded fourth at 125 pounds after battling a hand injury most of the year.

In addition to Payton, Cougar newcomers who earned seeds included freshmen Neal Rayburn (5th, 112) and Joseph Tallman (5th, 130). Philip Tallman is seeded fifth at 171 pounds for Newnan as is first-year wrestler Troy Owens.

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