“These records say a lot about this senior class and this program,” said AHS coach Sean Moistner. “We are progressively getting better and every year you want to break those records.”
The Cougars were led at the state meet by champions Trae Green (106-pounds), Cody Starnes (120), and DeAndre Sims (170).
Green, Alexander’s most consistent wrestler since dropping down to the 106 weight class, had a solid performance at state and won his championship match 5-4.
“He has wrestled for only three years and is already a state champion,” Moistner said. “He just stays within what he does.”
Winning at 120, Starnes increased his family winning streak at State to five consecutive years. He won his championship match 5-1.
“His father walked up to me afterward and said ‘If you had told me he would be a state champion at the end of the year, I would have laughed,’” Moistner said. “Cody has worked his butt off and this just shows how much he has improved throughout the year.”
Sims was dominating at 170, winning his championship match 21-7.
“I am super proud of that kid,” Moistner said. “He has wrestled only four years and has put a lot of work in.”
Roman Boylen also reached the championship match but fell in a close 2-0 decision to another returning state champion. Boylen battled injuries all season but preformed well when it mattered most. He defeated a state champion in the quarterfinals to reach the semis and then won that match as well to reach the championship.
Also placing for Alexander were Maverick Way (3rd, 285), Cody Dickerson (4th, 152), and Chris Achenbach (5th, 132).
“Maverick is the most improved wrestler on the team and in the state,” Moistner said. “Cody had a tremendous year and did a good job of fighting back to reach the consolation semifinals.”
“Chris completely turned his season around,” Moistner added. “I am proud of the work he put in.”
Alexander finished third as a team behind first place Gilmer and second place Carrollton.
“We wrestled a very good tourney with great matches by every kid,” Moistner said. “You always want more but I am excited by what we accomplished.”
CHAPEL HILL
After an undefeated regular season, a region championship, and a West Sectionals runner-up performance, Chapel Hill’s Khyree Walker wrapped up his stellar 2012-13 season on Saturday with a third place finish in the AAA State Tournament.
“It was a good, solid performance,” said CHHS coach Marcus Harley. “I was satisfied with him and the way he preformed.”
Walker lost to the eventual state champion by one point in the semifinals before coming all the way back to win the consolation semis. He finished fifth in the state in Kansas last year.
Harley was hopeful that having a state placer will bring some much needed attention to the program.
“We have established a good foundation,” he said. “We still have some things that need to be done but coming home with a state placer should help the process.”
DOUGLAS COUNTY
The Tigers sent six to state and came away with one placer, Quinzavious Sands. Sands, a heavyweight, finished sixth overall after a third place finish in the West Sectionals. He made it to the quarterfinals before losing to a kid from Woodstock. He then fought back in the consolation bracket all the way to the fifth place match where he ran into the same kid. He wrestled better but the outcome was the same.
Douglas County head coach Jereme Fountain was happy with Sands performance overall.
“When you are building a tradition, you depend on one kid to be a pioneer,” Fountain said. “I am excited for him and I hope his performance spreads like a disease. He now has something everyone else wants. “
Keywan Gaines also preformed well at state, making it to the quarterfinals. However, he came up just short of placing.
“No one laid down,” Fountain said. “Every wrestled and got after it regardless of where they finished.”
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