Hearts pumping, breathing heavy. This is a six-minute fight for a chance to wrestle in the climax of all that is high school sports; a chance to wrestle at State.

On Feb. 13-14, the Knight’s wrestling team will head to Hazelwood Central. There, they will spend two days competing for a chance to travel to the University of Missouri-Columbia and wrestle at the State tournament.

“A top four place in districts qualifies you for state,” Head Coach Harold Ritchie said. “The higher you place, the better bracket you will be in.”

Every year during the week before districts, the team has two-a-days: one practice in the morning and one after school.

“We have two-a-days to fine-tune our technique,” Ritchie said. “It’s a mental thing; they know they have done the work and should go through the match with confidence. We also talk about the people who have placed at State and look at their names on the board. I also talk about the surprises, the kids who weren’t expecting to good, that do good.”

With Districts right around the corner, the team will be putting all they have into these next couple of weeks.

“I will be working extra hard at practice,” senior Alex Cassetta said. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. The extra practice will help.”

Some of the seniors will have their last opportunity to get to state and earn their spot in North history. For senior Tyler Lotz, this is his final chance.

“This is year is important,” Lotz said. “I have never made it to State before. I would like to get my name on that wall.”