POWDER SPRINGS - There was good news and bad news for Kennesaw Mountain on Saturday in the Area 5AAAAA traditional tournament at McEachern's Lovinggood Gym.

The good news was that the Mustangs crowned four area champions, the most in the program's 10-year history.

But the bad news was they couldn't defend their area crown from a year ago, losing to East Paulding by a slim five points, 203-198.

"I'm a little disappointed in how we performed as a team," Kennesaw Mountain coach Roberto Rivera said. "We were the front-runners coming in, but finished short of our goal of defending our area championship. The good news is, we have four area champions, so that's something we can be proud of."

East Paulding led Kennesaw Mountain 189-179 at the end of the consolation rounds and the Raiders had five wrestlers in the finals, compared to the Mustangs' six. But East Paulding came out with three area champions, which was just enough to hold off Kennesaw Mountain for the team title.

Etowah (175.5) was third, followed by McEachern (168.5), North Cobb (153), Harrison (143), Cherokee (135.5), Marietta (120.5), South Cobb (36) and Woodstock (33).

The Mustangs qualified seven wrestlers for next week's state sectional at Tift County High School in Tifton. Johnathan Herrera (125), Ryan Maus (135), Jonatan Rivera (152) and Rashaud Moore (215). Runners-up Chris Murdock (119) and Allen Logan (130) will join them, as will fourth-place finisher Alex Bremner (145).

In all, six teams crowned at least one area champion Saturday. Etowah had three, while McEachern had two and North Cobb and Harrison each had one.

McEachern's E.J. Sheppard (103) and Jeremy Wester (171) both won, while its runners-up included James Carpenter (145), Jonathan Hill (160) and Syquan Hudson (189). Jordano Figeroa (125) and Joey Visockis (152) placed fourth to also advance to sectionals.

"Last year, we had two sectional qualifiers, and this year, we have seven," McEachern coach Jason Faklaris said. "I'm proud of these guys. This lets people know that we're on our way back. We're looking for some good things to happen for us next week."

North Cobb's Tony Sotres won at 189 pounds, Brent Crowder (125), Nick Nevajas (140) and John Armenderez (171) all placed third, while Joe Lambert (285) was fourth.

Spencer Rickman, a freshman, captured the 112-pound title for Harrison, which had six sectional qualifiers. Deuce White (125), Anthony Fiacco (135) and Alex Condon (140) -all freshmen - were runners-up, while third-place finishers Patrick Curry (103) and Nick Thompson (160) also advanced.

"We had all freshmen in the finals, and two sophomores placed third, and we have them all coming back next year," Harrison coach Tom Fiacco said. "These guys are hard workers and they do what you ask them. I'm really proud of them."

Marietta's Erik Houston (171) was second, while Akeia Miles (103), Austin Burris (112), Ardon Smith (119), David Edwards (130) and Jonathan Hardin (215) each finished fourth to advance.

South Cobb's Jordan Anderson (140) advanced with his fourth-place finish.