Working for this moment all year long, four Redhawks wrestlers, seniors James Ethan Harris and William Redden, and juniors Mercede Alvarez  and Taylor Clapp take on the UIL 5A state meet on Friday and Saturday at the Berry Center in Cypress.

“I try my best to encourage my athletes every day,” co-head coach Justin Koons said. “Letting them know what I see in them and that I know what they are capable of. Each one has put in so much blood, sweat and tears that I had no doubt they would be state qualifiers. I truly believe that we can get all four on the podium this coming weekend and have a chance to have a state champ or two.”

For senior James Ethan Harris, earning the state championship has been his goal since day one.

“I am always thinking about that state championship and it’s the number one goal since the season started,” Harris said. “My goal for state has been the same goal all season, to be at the top of the podium.”

This meet is a new experience for senior William Redden.

“State is a new experience for me, I have never wrestled there,” Redden said. “So just being able to get on the podium would be amazing.”

Winning a regional championship last Saturday, junior Mercede Alvarez feels confident in her abilities at state.

“The girls that I beat in my semi finals match at regionals was ranked second, so that just put me at top number one for state,” Alvarez said. “So that is kind of like where I am at for state and I know I need to work harder because I know they are going to be working harder too.”

Junior Taylor Clapp has high expectations for herself in the meet.

“My goal is to make it to the semi finals,” Clapp said. “If I can make it there then I have a good shot at placing.”

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