After a full season of hard work, the Spartan wrestling team went out on a high note at districts, on Feb. 8-9. Once the tournament concluded, Austin Smith, Kaden Hart, Jonathan Floyd, Andrew Godier, and Corey Wait all qualified to go to state championships. Even though not as many wrestlers had qualified for state as the team hoped, sophomore Kaden Hart reported that the team had still done a good job at the tournament.  

“Districts was pretty good. We had some people not make state that we were counting on, but overall, we all performed pretty [well],” said Hart. “I think this year we had a stronger team than last year.”

Senior Gerald Hall also witnessed how much the team improved in this year’s district tournament compared to last year.

“[Districts] were pretty good last year too, but I think we improved everything we did this year,” said Hall.

Although the team’s overall performance had improved since last year, Hart mentioned his personal shortcomings from this past tournament.

“Last year I won, this year I took second. I had a pretty good hit during the finals though,” said Hart.

Hall’s personal experience from this year’s district tournament how difficult it is to qualify for state. Along with being physically strong, wrestlers also have to be mentally strong.  

“[I learned that districts] is very competitive and you have to work hard to get into State, and we have to be mentally tough to be able to get in a spot [at State],” said Hall.

The following weekend, those who qualified went to the State tournament, which went from February 14th to the 16th.

“It was very similar to last year, just exciting, fun, nerve wracking,” said Hart. “I took fifth, I wanted to take at least third, and it happens, I just have to work harder for next year, but [it was a] fun experience.”

Among those who went to districts, senior Austin Smith was the only person on the team to be a state qualifier.

“I wish the outcome could have been better, but I improved a lot, and my skill and strength grew,” said Smith.

Starting the season out strong with multiple people winning their weight division at the Fox tournament, two of which went undefeated at the tournament. Then the wrestling team had a smashing success after facing off against Troy Buchanan High School on Jan. 16th. At the Winnetonka invitational, they got eighth as a team, and had four people making finals. One even took first place in his weight division. After their road to success, the team placed 9th in their class at State championships.

“Yeah, overall [it was a] pretty decent season. [Especially with] placing state and making memories with the kids on the team,” said Hart.