The Lakeland Hawks wrestling team came home with some hardware after state, taking a fourth-place team finish. Only behind the third-place team by two points, at 137.5 points.
They also came back with two state champions and five state placers.
Zach Teal was seated number one in his bracket and did not fall short at 98 pounds he walked through his bracket and claimed his first state title as a sophomore.
Josiah Koonce, a wild card for the Hawks put some points on the board going two and one.
Calab Adams, a three-time district champion, claimed his first placement at state, taking fifth at 106.
“It felt really good because I was not seeded but my hard work paid off,” Adams said, “Seedings do not matter because anything could happen, and I have not even wrestled the kids that were down there.”
Kade Knopp was unable to place but put some team points on the board for the Hawks at 113 pounds.
At 120 pounds Carson Leonard defended his state title and got his second state title.
“It felt better than the first time, coming off a big injury it felt good to catch a big win,” Leonard said, “I think it puts pressure on me, but that means I just have to keep working hard.”
At 126 Jaron Knopp was seated fourth and stayed true to his setting and took fourth. Cutter O’Brien went two and out at 126.
At 138 pounds Cash Lund fell short and went two and out.
At 144 Cole Cooper took his first state placement taking fifth place. Ekahi Hamilton also at 144 went 2-1 but put some points on the board for the Hawks.
Austin Howell also fell short and went two and out at 150.
Kaleb Hammer took fourth his junior year wrestling through a shoulder injury, at 157. Gage McWatters also at 157 went 2-2 also distributing to the Hawks fourth place title.
Thayer Sabatke took sixth place his senior year at 165, making him a one time state placer.
At 215 pounds Ernie Steel went two and out.
Overall the Hawks wrestled well through state and are going to continue working through the off season and will be coming back next year for a title.
“We are going to watch injuries and hopefully get everyone back,” Adams said, “Getting more people in state would be helpful too. In the off season we will work on greco and freestyle and wrestle tournaments.”
The Hawks are also only losing two places to graduation and both state champs will also be returning looking to defend their titles.
“I think next year we will be just as good if not better, our dual record was 20-4,” Leonard said, “We have to keep going to practice as a team and keep doing team bonding.”
