Wolverines’ Wray punches ticket to state

For the first time in four years, East Mills has a state wrestling qualifier.

Senior Jackson Wray won the 160-pound title at the Class 1A state qualifier in Underwood Saturday to notch his first ever state tournament bid. The Wolverines’ last state qualifier came in 2017, according to Coach Claude Lang.

Missouri Valley was the team champion at Underwood and was one of three schools to qualify five for state tournament on the day.

East Mills finished 12th in the team standings with 16 points.

Lang said Jackson wrestled extremely well on his feet throughout the district meet.

Wray dominated first round opponent, Cole Lange of Missouri Valley and was in control throughout the 8-4 win. In the finals, Jackson faced off against AHSTW’s Garrison Gettler. He trailed for much of the match until scoring a takedown in the final 45 seconds and then rode his opponent out for the district win.

“It was a big win for him, and a big win for our program, since we haven’t had a state qualifier since 2017,” said Lang. “Jackson doesn’t just prepare physically for his matches, he spends a lot of time critiquing himself and watching his own film to see strengths and weaknesses.”

Wray was one of four Wolverines wrestling at districts.

152-pounder Jack Gordon, 182-pound Brody Gordon and heavyweight Jack Anderson lost both of their district matches.

Jackson (30-3) enters state seeded No. 8. He will meet Midland Wyoming’s Caden Ballou (38-6) in the first round.

“I’m very pleased with seed, couldn’t quite tell if he would get seventh or eighth seed or be drawn in,” Lang said. “Jackson can wrestle with anyone, his goal to start the season was to get on the medal stand, thus far he has done everything needed to do so.  It is now within reach, stay focused and go get it.”

The Class 1A portion of the state tournament kicks off three days of wrestling on Thursday morning at 9 a.m.

 

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