Thirteen Mat Dragons headed for State

Other placers included Daniel Barber, who placed third in the 112 lb. class; Clay Richardson, who placed sixth in the 119 lb. class; Cain Finch, who placed third in the 130 lb. class; Forrest Przybysz, who placed seventh in the 140 lb. class; Ben Knight, who placed third in the 145 lb. class; Austin Newman, who placed fifth in the 160 lb. class; Zach Allen, who placed third in the 189 lb. class; and Patrick Allen, who placed third in the 215 lb. class.

The only wrestler not to make it was Cole Hightower in the 285 lb. class, who suffered a shoulder injury.

“We hate that he’s not going this year,” said coach Doug Thurmond. “He’s a senior, and he was the state runner-up last year. We’ve got several kids hurt right now, but we hate he’s not going to get to go.”

Hightower joins Isaac Kelly and Wayne Elliott, whose injuries took them out prior to the area tournament two weeks ago.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald.