Credit to Taylor Griffin

A referee holds senior Collin Conley’s arm up, representing a win.

Many wrestlers on the girls and boys wrestling teams had one goal this season: to make it to state. To make it to the state tournament, though, the Knights had to get past the district tournament. Some wrestlers were returners, but some were brand new to the tournament. The Knights ended districts with 10 people qualifying for state. 

“My semi’s match at districts was an eye-opener for me,” junior Aubrey Peterson said. “I had to wrestle a girl who pinned me at a tournament this year and I lost to the girl again, but I wrestled the best I had all season.”

For the Knights, the state tournament was what they worked toward all season. The work that was put in by all the wrestlers was something to be proud of and was shown out on the big mat. Out of the four female qualifiers, there was one second, and two fifth place medalists. Out of the six male qualifiers, Wyatt Dannegger placed first, and Collin conley placed second. 

“My finals match at state was a big moment for me,” freshman Wyatt Dannegger said. “I ended up pinning him after winning 7-0 earlier in the season to win state.” 

Other big tournaments for the Knights included the Washington Joe Schneider Memorial tournament, which brought the girls wrestling team home its first ever trophy. For boys head coach Chris Brown, his first ever championship since becoming head coach came at the Fort Zumwalt East tournament where the Knights placed 1st out of 25 teams across the area. 

“This year was really fun just as a team,” junior Maddy Howell said. “We always had people encouraging each other which really just brought our team together and made us close-knit.”

This year the Knights had a bigger senior class of nine wrestlers. Eight males and one female make up the class, and it was a group of players that brought a lot to the team. Wrestlers like Isabelle Apple, who was a 2-time state finalist, made a big impact on the team right away. 

“Izzy was a great partner this year and all of last year,” Dannegger said. “I think she has made me improve a lot and it will not be the same without her next year.”