Every athlete has that one major goal they set at the beginning of the season or when they first start their high school sport. For many of these athletes, they aspire to qualify for the state meet, one of the biggest competitions of the season. Seniors Enzo Yamasaki, Camille Kindrell Cobb and Hannah Sollo Bissombi along with sophomore Madeline Barnett achieved this with their impressive performances at regionals.

At the 4A West Regional Championship, the Wildcats had seven wrestlers competing with all of them placing top six in their respective weight classes. On the boys’ side, Yamasaki took third place, earning a spot to wrestle at the state meet and senior Alex Alfelor finished sixth, ending his successful run as a wrestler for the Wildcats. The girls’ side also had strong performances with Barnett, Kindrell Cobb and Sollo Bissombi all finishing second and qualifying for states. Senior Laura Reyes along with freshman sensation Sonia Pegoue both finished third.

The qualifications to advance to the state championship were much tougher than it was to make regionals. Instead of having to finish top six in their weight class, boys had to finish top four and girls had to place top two. The challenge that comes with earning a spot to compete at states made it sweeter for the wrestlers that qualified.

“Honestly I didn’t think I’d have the chance to qualify for states cause I was recovering from a concussion so it feels amazing to make it,” Kindrell Cobb said.

Sports like wrestling take a serious amount of dedication including starting to train at a young age. For Yamasaki, this training has helped prepare him for big competitions like states.

The Wildcats had a tough schedule all season which has gotten the team ready for the best wrestlers in the state.

“I’ve been wrestling people who are better than me and in higher weight classes to challenge myself and help me prepare,” Kindrell Cobb said.

For the seniors, this will be the last time wearing the WJ wrestling singlet, adding some emotions to a special day.

“Honestly it’s a bittersweet moment. I’ve had so much fun this season and I’m so happy to get to wrestle at states but it’s also sad cause it’s the end of an era,” Kindrell Cobb said.

However, all in all, there is no better place to end your high school wrestling career than states.

“It’s honestly extremely special to me, I’m glad I can end my high school wrestling career at the top,” Yamasaki said.

As the only underclassman that qualified for states on the wrestling team, Barnett has many more seasons to come along with lots of goals to achieve.

“My hope this year was to have fun and meet new people. Since it’s my first year, I have more goals for next year,” Barnett said.

The MPSSAA Girls State Championship started on Thursday, Mar. 2 and ends Saturday, Mar. 4. The 3A-4A Coed State Championship starts on Friday, Mar. 3 and concludes on Saturday, Mar. 4.