According to southeastwrestling.com, some of the strongest grapplers in the state reside in northern Jefferson County. Pinson Valley, Gardendale, Mortimer Jordan and Fultondale combine to place 21 wrestlers inside the top eight in Alabama in their respective weight classes.

CLASS 6A TEAM RANKINGS

1. Pinson Valley

2. Southside-Gadsden

3. Oxford

4. Gardendale

5. Homewood

6. McAdory

7. Helena

8. Athens

No. 1 Pinson Valley ranked 11 athletes in the latest poll.

At 132 pounds, Josh Walker comes in at No. 1 in the division. Cameron Hamby (138) and Khymel Chaverst (170) also top the poll in their respective divisions. Taylor Rhodes (285), David Pike (195), Tyler Johnson (182), Tracy Reed (152), Christian Hopkins (145) and George Vazquez (106) rank third in the state in Class 6A. Quenmarius Byrd (120) and Eric Rogers (160) come in at No. 6.

For No. 4 Gardendale, Andrew Freeman held poll position in the 220-pound weight class, but has since decided to drop the sport in order to focus on his hopes of pursuing a college football career. Russ Boackle (113), Trevor Muncey (160) and Trey Lewis (182) rank second in the state. Jared Beasley holds strong at No. 5 in the 132-pound weight class.

Fultondale is led by junior Macon Edwards (113), who sits atop the Class 1A-5A poll. Chase Cunningham (132) and Erik Gonzalez (195) both come in at No. 8 in the state.

For Mortimer Jordan, Carial Tarter ranked third in the 152-pound division while Gavin Rogers sits at No. 7 among 145 pounders.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.