The Reds Wrestling team punched their ticket to the 2024 CHSAA State Championships. 10 individuals from the team qualified for the tournament by placing at the Regional Tournament. The overall performance of the Reds Wrestling team allowed them to win their Regional Tournament.
Eaton High School was the host site for the 3A N Region 1 tournament, in which the Reds took first place. On Feb. 9 and 10, Eaton hosted 15 teams for the Regional Tournament. The Reds came out victorious from the tournament, with 13 wrestlers contributing to a collective team score of 251 points. Each wrestler scored various points to contribute to the team win. 10 Reds finished in the top four of their weight classes, which qualified them to compete in the State Tournament.
Winning regionals was a key step for the Reds entering into the State Tournament. Qualifying 10 wrestlers for the tournament is no easy feat. Having more wrestlers to compete in the State Tournament will allow for the Reds to have more opportunities to score team points. Scoring team points is important for winning a tournament, thus having more competitors to do so is vital.
At 106 pounds, Blake Hawkins (26) scored 24 team points, placing second in his weight class. Garret Hembree (26) placed fifth in the 113 pound division, scoring 11 team points. Placing third in the 120 pound division, Ethan Deal (26) scored 20 team points. In the 126 pound division, Louden Kindsfater (26) also placed third and scored 20 team points. Dylan Paris (26) scored 22 team points, and placed third in the 132 pound division. Scoring 15 team points, Paxton Pettinger (27) placed fourth in the 138 pound division. Patrick Preston (24) placed first in the 144 pound division, scoring 28 team points. In the 150 pound division, Brayden Betsworth (25) scored 20 team points and placed second. Placing first in the 157 pound division, Quirt Carroll (24) scored 28 team points. Preston Smith (24) also scored 28 team points and placed first in the 165 pound division. At 175 pounds, Dakota Lanning (27) scored five team points. Cal Sidwell (25) placed second in the 190 pound division, scoring 24 team points. In the 215 pound division, Osip Walden (27) scored six team points.
To qualify for the State Tournament, an individual must place in the top four of their weight class at the Regional Tournament. The Reds who will be competing in the State Tournament are Hawkins, Deal, Kindsfater, Paris, Pettinger, Preston, Betsworth, Carroll, Smith, and Sidwell. The State Tournament begins today at Ball Arena and will conclude on Sat. Feb. 17. Each wrestler competing in the tournament has been placed into a 16-person bracket for their weight class.
The 150 pound qualifier, Betsworth, said, “I’m looking forward to going into battle with these guys and hopefully achieving our goals.” Not only is each wrestler competing for an individual title, they are also competing as a team. The Reds Wrestling team is currently back to back State Champions. They will be competing for their third title in three straight years.
