Credit to Kyra Landers

Freshman Noah Brown walks of the mat Dec. 5 after winning a match. FHN’s wrestling team competes in their first quad of the season against Palmyra, St. Charles West and hosting team Orchard Farm.

The boys’ qualifiers hit state Feb. 28 through March 1 at the Mizzou arena and sought huge success. Sophomore Wyatt Dannegger, who wrestled in the 106-pound weight class, won first place, while senior Collin Conley won sixth in the 165-pound weight class.

Conley and Dannegger weren’t the only ones to place at districts. Returning qualifiers junior Cole Dillon and junior Lito Ledezma, along with newcomers freshman Noah Brown and senior Collin Costello, also made their way to state. For many of the wrestlers, as well as their coaches, it was mostly about cultivating a winning mindset leading up to state.

“A big part is that Coach Brown keeps driving home to the athletes to visualize success and have a belief that you are there and you’ve got the training,” Assistant Coach Sean Fowler said. “Now you just gotta go out and execute it.”

Throughout the season, there have been many highlights with newcomers. Noah, a freshman, made it to state right off the mat.

“I’m always thinking about how to get the win and wanting to get the win,” Noah said.

Freshmen aren’t the only ones who can be rookies at state. Costello improved greatly throughout the season, earning him a trip to state for his first time.

“Collin Costello made some big jumps; it was his first time being a state qualifier and we could see the improvement as the year went on,” Head Coach Chris Brown said.

Emotions can be high and aren’t limited to the fresh faces at state, as coaches can also feel the immense pressure from the sidelines.

“I find it a little more difficult to be a coach on the side where you have all that sympathetic arousal – fight or flight type thing – where you can’t actually compete,” Fowler said.

Balancing passion and support for their wrestlers, the coaches strongly aimed to keep their wrestlers prepared without adding additional pressure.

“Believe that they can be a state medalist, that’s the thing we’ve been preaching the most and that they’re deserving,” Chris said.