Coach David Kirkland’s Bainbridge High School Bearcats wrestling team recently completed their season on a strong note.

Led by Ben Reynolds, who went to state in the heavyweight division, the Bearcats qualified eight wrestlers for the Southwest Georgia Class AAAA Sectionals at Lee County High School in Leesburg.

The sectional qualifying competition took place at the Region 1AAAA meet, also held in Leesburg.

“We had one of the best seasons since I have been coaching,” Kirkland said.

Bainbridge sectional qualifiers included Reynolds in the heavyweight division, Martin Dollar in the 119-pound division, Kole Gilbourn in the 125-pound division, Brandon Griffin in the 130-pound division, Hunter Bulger in the 140-pound division, Curtis Anderson in the 145-pound division, Brock Merchant in the 160-pound division and Kevin Hill in the 171-pound division.

Reynolds qualified for state by winning four of six matches at Sectionals, which were very competitive, Kirkland said.

The wrestlers who made it to Sectionals were the elite of the elite. There were 42 wrestlers representing 40 schools there.

At the state meet at the Gwinnett County Civic Center, Reynolds defeated a South Paulding High School opponent by points.