ALBANY, Ohio — The Gallia Academy wrestling program had four grapplers advance to next weekend’s district level after placing in the top-four of their respective weight classes Saturday at the 2013 Division II Southeast Sectional Wrestling Tournament held at Alexander High School.

The Blue Devils had two individuals win sectional titles en route to posting a team score 105 points, which placed GAHS fifth out of 11 teams overall. Sheridan won the D-2 sectional team title with 242 points, while Athens (235), New Lexington (195) and Warren (119) rounded out the top four spots.

The Blue Devils had eight district qualifiers and four sectional champs a year ago, but the one constant between those two teams is Cole Tawney. Tawney, a sophomore, won his second consecutive sectional crown in the 120-pound division after scoring a pinfall win over Andrew Spicer of New Lexington in the finals.

Senior Mark Allen is also returning to the district level after clinching his first sectional championship with a 3-1 decision over Alex Tritipo of Athens in the 170-pound division. Seniors Briggs Shoemaker and Scott Warren are both headed to districts for the first time after respectively finishing second and fourth in the 195- and 285-pound weight classes.

Freshman Justin Reynolds just missed out on a qualifying berth after placing fifth overall in the 160-pound division, while junior Ben Bush placed sixth in his 145-pound weight class.

The 2013 Division II Southeast District Tournament will be held at Goshen High School this coming Friday and Saturday.

Complete resultsof the 2013 Division II Southeast Sectional Wrestling Tournament at Alexander High School are available on the web at baumspage.com