Jefferson, the 11-time defending Class AA champions, had 12 wrestlers advance Tuesday afternoon in the first round of the wrestling state traditional championship at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth.

Quarterfinal action begins at 11 a.m. today and semifinals will start at 7 p.m.

Chase Piperato (106 pounds), Kyle Kashuba (113), Josh Harris (120), Tyler Marinelli (126), 

Issac Kelly (132), Clay Richardson (138), Jack Dollar (145), Cain Finch (152), Jake Sherman (160), Jace McColskey (170), Forrest Przybysz (182), Aaron Anderson (220) all recorded wins for the Dragons, who are going for their 12th consecutive state championship.

Also in Class AA, Jackson County’s Zach Moore (120), Connor Andreasen (126) and Daivon Ledford (160), and Buford’s Brayden Hartley (120), Chip Ness (170) and Dima Aguero (182) all advanced to the state quarterfinals.

Of North Hall’s six qualifying wrestlers, three moved into the quarterfinals. Andy Voss (132), Tyler Kratzer (138) and Cam Howell (220) all recorded wins for the Trojans. Chestatee’s Taylor Wright (152) broke 100 wins in the first round of the state tournament. Jose Reyes-Lavallee and Dylan Brock also earned wins for the War Eagles.

Gregory Hilliard (106), Michael Hilliard (160) and Lee Cagle (170) also moved on to the 

quarterfinals. In Class AAAA, Flowery Branch will advance Nick Lankford (132).

It required two more wins for each wrestler to advance to the finals.

Wrestlers that did not advance in first round matches will compete in the consolation round at 8 a.m. today.