As the wrestling season came to an end for most athletes, four wrestlers competed in the regional tournament on Feb. 24, each with the goal of bringing a state championship back home.
The remaining wrestlers represented school in each of their four individual weight classes. Freshman Jason Liau was the school’s 106-pound weight class wrestler. Senior Jake Warner was the 126-pound weight class wrestler. Senior Alex Terskin was the 145-pound weight class wrestler and senior Adrian Guerra wrestled in the 195-pound weight class.
Guerra, who is new to wrestling this year, got to experience the regional tournament for the first time. He ended up losing in the quarterfinals to the regional 190-pound weight class champion.
“Even though I didn’t do as well as I would have liked to, wrestling in the tournament was a good experience,” Guerra said.
Terkin finished off his last season for the wrestling team with his final regional tournament appearance, and ended up making it to the quarterfinals. This would be the end for Terksin for his school wrestling career.
Along with Terskin, Warner also participated in his last regional tournament of his high school career. He similarly finished in the quarterfinals, losing to the second place finisher who will be going to States.
Warner, whose season is now done said,“I am going to miss wrestling at Wootton and miss wrestling with my friends.”
Liau made it all the way to the championship of the regional tournament. He ended up losing the championship and came in second place. Even though Liau ended up losing the top four, he made it to States.
Liau will wrestle against the state’s best wrestlers and will most likely see the opponent he lost to again. Liau said, “It is definitely going to be a challenge for me that I’m not used to, but I am looking forward to it and I think it is going to be fun.”
The statewide tournament took place on Mar. 1-2, Laiu represented his school, his teammates and the entire wrestling program.
Students from school and on the team planned on going out to support Liau. Sophomore and JV wrestler Ben Bloch said, “I think he has a good chance to make a run and hopefully bring us back a ring.”
Bloch, who is also a 106-pound weight class wrestler, wrestled in the regional tournament last year as a freshman just like Liau is. It was Liau’s biggest challenge this year as he only wrestled the best wrestlers in the state, but also some of the best wrestlers he has wrestled against this season. The state tournament is known to be filled with experienced wrestlers and Liau was looking to make a name for himself.
Conor Walsh
Staff Writer
