Boys Wrestling Competes at State Championship

After four boys placed at the boys wrestling District Championship, they advance to state

Junior+Kaden+Hart+prepares+to+pin+his+opponent.+Hart+placed+first+at+the+District+Championship%2C+meaning+he+will+advance+to+State.

Rhyen Standridge

Junior Kaden Hart prepares to pin his opponent. Hart placed first at the District Championship, meaning he will advance to State.

This past weekend, the boys wrestling team competed at the District Championship at Francis Howell High School. Junior Kaden Hart took home the District Champion title with a first place ranking, with freshman Aidan Hernandez and sophomore Peyton Shepard also advancing to the State Championship. State will take place Thursday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 23.

Hart, a three-time State Qualifier, aims to beat each of his opponents in all four of his matches over the next few days. He has already defeated one opponent in the first round of the Championship.

“[I’m hoping for] 4-0 and [to win] the State Championship,” Hart said.

Hart explains that, in order to prepare for State, he trained as hard as always, with a balance of the right food and the right amount of practice. 

“[I] diet, exercise, stay on top of my priorities,” Hart said.

Hernandez has been consistently putting in large amounts of effort to advance so far in the season.

“I’ve [gone] to practice every day with a positive attitude.

I’ve [gone] to practice every day with a positive attitude. I’ve been putting in extra work with a couple of my other teammates, so we as a team can do better.

— Aidan Hernandez

,” Hernandez said.

Upon qualifying for State, Hernandez was excited to prove himself to his opponents, but also anxious for how he would perform.

“I felt good. I still feel like… I can do more,” Hernnadez said. “I can get better.”

Not only was Hernandez eager to perform well, but he was also enthusiastic about the experience he would be able to have at the State Championship.

“[I’m looking forward to] the environment. There’ll be a lot of people there,” Hernandez said. “It should be fun, exciting.”

Each State Qualifier has worked hard this season, consistently putting in extra effort in order to advance to the Championship, and Shepard accredits their performance to one thing: hard work.

“I’ve just been training hard. [I’m hoping to be in the] top four,” Shepard said.

Hernandez also believes one of the most important factors in performing well at State is to keep working as hard as he always has.

“I’m just doing my normal routine,” Hernandez said.