Wrestling goes for state championship Saturday

After finishing 2nd in the State Dual Tournament last year, the boys’ team hopes to bring home a ring

Entering Saturdays 5A State Dual Tournament as the number two seed, the boys wrestling team is seeking to finish one spot better than last year when they finished second.

Arman Kafai

Entering Saturday’s 5A State Dual Tournament as the number two seed, the boys’ wrestling team is seeking to finish one spot better than last year when they finished second.

The boys’ wrestling team will take part in the 5A State Dual tournament at Bryan High School on Saturday in hope of returning back to Frisco with a title.

We want to get some big champion rings for a really big team.

— senior captain Dawson Hirt

The team is entering the tournament with a 22-2 record and are coming off of a 57-18 win over Prosper Thursday night. The team left early Friday for College Station, where the duals will take place.

“We’re looking to get first this year,” senior captain Dawson Hirt said. “We want to get some big champion rings for a really big team.”

The tournament is hosted by the Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association and is a head-to-head team based dual tournament with the winners of each match advancing to the next round. The top 16 teams in 5A were invited to the meet with the Redhawks entering the tournament as the number two seed.

Competing in the tournament last year, the team defeated all opponents before facing rival Centennial in the final dual. Coming down to the last match, the team lost a heartbreaker in the 2nd round.

The team and myself expect nothing other than gold and a state title tomorrow.

— senior Jalen Millow said

The rivalry with Centennial was a back and forth affair last year. After their defeat, the team bounced back and defeated them in the district dual meet, before the Titans won the UIL State Championship. This rivalry has had many of the wrestlers circle Saturday on their calendars, anticipating this event.  

“I’ve been thinking and preparing for this tournament for a year now,” senior Jalen Millow said. “The team and myself expect nothing other than gold and a state title tomorrow.”

Practices and results in the season have provided head coach Jason Thurston with plenty of confidence in his side as they attempt to claim the title of the best wrestling team in Texas.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Thurston said. “The team is ready, the practices have been on points, and everyone is investing in one another. We believe we will have a great weekend in Bryan, and are five duals away from earning the state title.”