The road to state has officially begun for six dedicated athletes from the high school wrestling program. Brian Schenck, Jayden Grindell, Max Coerver, Katie Pallme, Morgan Meyer, and Sydnie Christopher all qualified at the district tournament and will now advance to compete at the state level.
For junior Jayden Grindell, the moment was especially meaningful. After coming close to qualifying last year but narrowly missing his chance, this season’s accomplishment felt like redemption.
“I was really excited,” Grindell said. “I came close last year and barely missed it, so it felt great to finally make it.”
Grindell credited his preparation for helping him reach the next level. “I’ve just been drilling hard and staying confident,” he said. Looking ahead to state, he has high hopes not only for himself but also for his teammates. “I think Max has a good shot at winning it, and I think Brian and I can make our way through a couple rounds.”
The boys team, led by varsity head coach Jacob Gegg, has emphasized steady growth and discipline throughout the season.
“Our preparation going into the district tournament really started long before districts,” Gegg said. “We focused on consistent practice habits, attention to detail, and making sure our conditioning was where it needed to be. The week of districts, we emphasized sharpening technique, situational drilling, and making sure our wrestlers were mentally prepared. We talked a lot about controlling what we can control — effort, attitude, and focus.”
Gegg believes that preparation will carry over into the state tournament.
“I believe our wrestlers are ready to compete at a high level at state,” he said. “The state tournament is always challenging, but our guys have put in the work. If they wrestle to their ability, stay aggressive, and compete with confidence, I think they will represent our program very well. Our goal is always to compete hard every match and give ourselves a chance to be on the podium.”
He also praised Grindell’s development over the years.
“Jayden Grindell has continued to grow each season,” Gegg said. “For next year, my expectation is that he takes another big step forward — not just in wins and losses, but in leadership and consistency. He has the ability to be a major contributor to our team, and if he continues to develop in the offseason, he can put himself in a strong position for another successful year.”
On the girls side, Morgan Meyer emphasized the importance of mental strength in her success at districts.
“I did a lot of mental preparation before the district tournament,” Meyer said. “I believe in my teammates’ abilities to perform at state.”
Along with Meyer, Katie Pallme and Sydnie Christopher will represent the girls team at the state tournament, rounding out a strong group of qualifiers.
With months of preparation behind them and strong belief in each other, the six state qualifiers are ready to step onto the mat once again — this time on the biggest stage of their season.
