The two-day state tournament took place on Feb. 27, and the Spartans had been preparing for this moment since before the winter season started. The boys and girls wrestling teams together sent 12 state qualifiers total, with eight girls and four boys competing. The first day was for athletes to show their talents and others to be disqualified, and the second day, which only five girls made it to, was for placement in the state tournament. There were two girls who placed second, juniors Halen Phillips and Addison Holtgrewe, as well as three others who earned between third and sixth place. This was Phillips’ first time qualifying for state, but it was expected as she was seeded for first at districts. Phillips’ prepared for the state tournament no differently than any meet, ensuring her performance and mindset would not differ.
“I was really proud of myself… I mean I was disappointed [also] because I went into the finals match and didn’t win,” Phillips said. “It was still really exciting; there was a lot of adrenaline rushing.”
Wrestling season has now ended for the year, but will begin their summer camps and pre-season practices once spring sports have finished.
