Westside’s wrestling team is competing in the NSAA Class A State Tournament on Feb. 17 through the 18. The team is coming off of a high with placing second in districts in Grand Island this past weekend. Varsity head coach Micheal Jernigan expressed his excitement going into state as he believes the team is going to reach their goals.  

“The goal going into state is to have everyone wrestle the best that they can and the rest will shake out.  This is the hardest tournament of the year and the best of the best are there,” Jernigan said.  “Stay the course, trust in the process, and go do the best you can,”

Not only does wrestling take a lot of physical compatibility it also takes mental. The team is going to have to stay ready for any circumstance as they prepare for the biggest tournament of the season.

“Overall physically not much changes, but the biggest jumps are made mentally around this time of year,” senior Cade Haberman said. 

As state approaches many wrestlers could feel unconfident as they’re going up against some of their best competition. Westside’s wrestling program has achieved many accomplishments since the beginning of the season and they’re looking to complete a few more goals. To Jernigan, the things he’s seen from this team are extraordinary. 

“This years’ accomplishments are great stepping stones to a better program next year.  This team was the best dual team I have ever coached,” Jernigan said. “We have had numerous wrestlers break major milestones in the sport of wrestling. Breaking school records in most wins in a career, most pins in a career, most state qualifiers under Coach Jernigan, 4 District Champs, our first Girl State Champion, numerous wrestlers earning their 100th, and 150th career wins, 5 student-athletes on the Academic All-Metro Team, etc.”

With many goals getting met and achievements being made the team has high hopes for state. They hope to achieve their final team goal and place at state this week.

“We still have one goal left and that is to finish in the top 10 in the state.  We have the horses to do it, they just need to go out and perform,” he said. 

Watch Westside wrestling in action as they compete in the state tournament this week. Action can be covered on our Twitter page and at this link.