Athens Drive participated in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Wrestling State Championships along with 25 other North Eastern High Schools. They  first competed in the Regionals the fourteenth through the sixteenth of February, which lead to they’re presence in the States. Captain Grant Finkbeiner helped take his team to States shortly after the Regionals. Mahmoud Ghuweir, senior, Trey Cornish, sophomore, and Grant Finkbeiner, junior, competed in the states.

 “I’m very proud of all the guys. They’ve worked hard, going from last place to 3rd place in two years,” Coach Sean Finkbeiner said.

Athens wrestling had a lot going on this year because a significant amount of players were set to break records this year and were also set to beat Cary High School for the first time ever next year. Captain Grant Finkbeiner with a record of 44-6 is set to break the school wide record of 100 career wins. Sophomore Trey Cornish (41-9) is set to break the all time pin record while freshmen Faris Bousisou (30-7) has already broken the wrestling record of the fastest pin. This pin only took six seconds.

“We’ve also gone from a team who hadn’t won any matches to winning 24,” Finkbeiner said.

The season had gone as planned and the team had been preparing all year. Getting ready for the season consists of bulking up, which means they lift and eat right. Since the wrestlers had been preparing for this long, that has lead to an eventful year, considering a majority of the team are juniors, next year it will be even more eventful.

“We were very good this year, but we will be great next year.” said Finkbeiner.