WRESTLING: 5 Indians bring home State medals

TOP+OF+THE+PODIUM.+Holding+the+title+card%2C+Junior+Haley+Ward+stands+in+the+champions+spot+for+the+159+weight+class+at+the+2022+MSHSAA+Girls+State+Wrestling+tournament.+This+is+Wards+3rd+State+Title.+

Image courtesy FOHS Wrestling

TOP OF THE PODIUM. Holding the title card, Junior Haley Ward stands in the champions spot for the 159 weight class at the 2022 MSHSAA Girls State Wrestling tournament. This is Ward’s 3rd State Title.

Story by Julia Couch, Reporter

On Feb. 16, 2022 nine wrestlers headed to compete in the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament. On Feb. 19, 2022, five wrestlers took home hardware from the tournament. Freshman Colby Gray feels it was a great experience.

“I learned from the loss and what happened in that match and I feel like we all got closer as a team because we were in a hotel together for three days,” Gray said. 

Gray took home a 2nd place win at 120, finishing 44-4 on the season. Freshman Noah Thorpe took home a 6th place win at 113, finishing 19-14 on the season. Senior Dylan Reed finds the tournament helped him grow as a wrestler. 

“My biggest takeaway is that I can go out there and wrestle all six minutes with anybody and I feel like I’m definitely one of the toughest wrestlers in Missouri,” Reed said. 

Reed took home a 4th place win at 132, finishing the season with a 38-12 record. Sophomore Gavin Gallman enjoyed the time spent with his team. 

“The best part about state was definitely the experience, just being there with my friends and staying overnight,” Gallman said. 

Gallman took home a 6th place win at 220, ending his season with a 41-13 record. 

Junior Haley Ward came in 1st place at 159, winning her 3rd State Championship, with a 52-0 record on the season. Ward thinks it was an exciting experience. 

“State was a really good experience,” Ward said. “It was a great time bonding with my teammates. I won for the third time so it was very exciting and I can’t wait for next year.” 

The boys team finished 12th with 52 points to end the season. The girls team ended in 20th place with 31 points.