AVERY SULLIVAN Walker County Wrestler of the Year

After the best season of his high school career, Lafayette senior Avery Sullivan is counting down the days until college.

For Sullivan, college will be a few hours from home at Truett-mcconnell University in Cleveland, Ga., where he will be wrestling for the NAIA school.

But first, one final high school honor as Sullivan will be suiting up for the Bears as 2020-2021 Walker County Wrestler of the Year.

“It’s an honor,” he said the winning the award. “Honestly I didn’t think I would be because there a bunch of studs in Walker County.

“Going into (this past) year, I knew that I was going to be the stud everybody was going to have to worry about instead of me worrying about other people. I knew what I had to do and I did it. I knew I had to go all out in practice or I wouldn’t have been able to do anything this year.”

Sullivan finished his career with a 139-39 record with the Ramblers, but was 115-19 over the past three seasons.

As a 126-pound sophomore, he finished second at the Area 6-AAAA tournament and sixth at state sectionals to earn a trip to state, though he did not place.

The following season, at 132 pounds, he placed second in Area 6-AAAA and second at sectionals to qualify for state. There, he won twice, but fell one win short of the podium.

However, he made up for it as a senior. Going 24- 3 with all three losses coming against eventual state champions, he finished second at the area and state sectional tournaments before making a run to the Class AAA state finals.

Sullivan said winning in the state semifinals was huge for him in his senior year.

“That was one of the best moments I’ve had,” he added. “I’m definitely going to miss Coach (Jason) Johns. I know I’m going to have a family in college, but the family here (at Lafayette), I’ve grown up with them and it’s really been something.

“But I’m excited to wrestle in college. I hope I can go down there and make people proud. That’s all I can do.”