Mt. Zion High School recently competed in the GHSA Traditional State Wrestling Championship Tournament at the Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Head Coach Allen Newton carried seven state qualifiers to the Class A showdown and each of the seven returned home with claim to a spot on the State podium. Junior grappler Chandler Butler won the top prize as he was named the 2016 Class A Heavyweight State Champion, after a 2­1 decision against his Commerce High School opponent. This is Butler’s first state champion title which is a culmination of a 38­7 record this season. In addition to Butler’s strong showing, junior Cal Helton won State Runner­up at 145 pounds. Mt. Zion also had three third place finishers with senior Ashton Robinson at 126 pounds, senior Daniel Anderson at 220 pounds and sophomore Que Beasley at 113 pounds. Crofford Helton, the 132 pound junior, finished in fourth place while his sophomore brother, Cole Helton, took fifth place in the 160 pound classification.

In addition to their individual awards, the magnificent seven collectively earned enough points in the day to finish the Class A State Tournament in 3rd Place.