Jacob Meseke | sports editor
Three wrestlers have made the state tournament for the Chargers.
Junior Alex Beggs qualified for the boys at 175. Juniors Sophia Castillo and Sienna Jones both made the state tournament in the girls first season as a team.
At regionals, Beggs finished third. In his first match of the day, Beggs won by a fall in 43 seconds. Beggs went on to lose to the eventual second place finisher in the next round. In the third round Beggs won by another fall. In the third place match, Beggs won by major decision 11-2.
Castillo finished fourth at the 105 weight class at regionals. Castillo won her first match by decision, 7-2. She went on to lose to the eventual regional winner and number-one-ranked 105 wrestler in the state the next round. Castillo clinched a spot to state with a pin. Castillo ended up losing in the third place match by decision, 7-2.
Jones finished in third place in the 170 weight class. Jones started with two wins, one by a fall. In the match to go to the final, Jones lost by a fall. In her match to go to state, Jones won by a fall. In the third place game Jones won by major decision, 11-2.
The girls state meet will be Wednesday and Thursday in Salina. Castillo enters the tournament at 18-12 and will face Payton Burton of Bluestem High School (27-7)in the first round.
“It means a lot. It’s the first year I’ve been doing it. I’m happy I tried wrestling because it was something new and it feels great to be successful in the first year,” Castillo said.
She said she’s excited to see the tough competition at the state tournament. “It’s going to be good to get state experience for the first time. Even if it’s a tough tournament it will be something to build on.”
Jones enters the tournament at 17-5, and will face a tough first-round opponent, Grace Jones of Minneapolis (32-2).
“It’s really cool to represent our first girls wrestling team here at Wabaunsee and pave the way for future girls wrestlers,” Jones said. “The bracket seems pretty stacked but I need to have a positive outlook and to trust the work that I’ve put in this season and trust the coaches. Whatever the outcome, I can’t be upset because it’s my first year.”
Beggs enters state at 25-17, and will face St. jahn’s Caden McCandless (29-12) in the first match. Beggs won the Mid-East League championship in the 175 weight class last week, and enters the state tournament for the first time.
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