Two Hayden High School wrestlers advanced deep into the AIIA Division State tournament last week. Both wrestlers qualified for state placing at the State Wrestling Sectional Tournament on Feb. 6, and wrestled in the AIA State Tournament on Feb. 11 and 12.
“They both missed placing at the AIA by one match which is a disappointment to them,” said Coach Jeff Gregorich, “but I am proud of their performance and effort at state tournament. The state championship matches they lost were all close matches heartbreaking losses, against very good wrestlers.”
He added, “What I look for in a wrestler is how much they improved from the beginning of the session to the end of the year. I can say that both Mikee Mariscal and Antonio Trevizo made significant improvements and it showed at the end of the year.”
Antonio ended his senior year with a 29 – 8 record, and has plans to wrestle in college and continue his wrestling career. Mikee finished the season with a 26-8 record, and has two years left to reach his dream of being a state wrestling champ. He is now training with the Hayden USA Freestyle Wrestling Club on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and will be competing in wrestling tournaments throughout the spring.
“I believe wrestling champions train all year long, and the wrestlers that are winning the championship start early in their lives and compete in freestyle and off season tournaments,” said Gregorich. “I hope we can continue to see our youth wrestling programs develop through community school programs and wrestling clubs. I believe the number of wrestlers in our junior high and high school programs will increase over the coming years because of these youth programs.”