The Alliance Bulldog’s wrestling team, for the second consecutive year, will be sending eight grapplers to the State Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. Seniors Tyler Smith, Dawson Johnson, Fernando Lopez, and Tyson Dowler, Junior Devin Ushio, Sophomore Walker Johnson, and Freshmen Kyson Schnell and Manny Cabello will represent the Bulldogs in hopes of garnering a state title.
Dowler (152) and Ushio (120) were the two district championship winners from Alliance. They both won by technical falls in their championship match to best their opponents and win the title. Dowler and Ushio are both are highly predicted to preform well at State and possibly capture gold.
Dawson Johnson (160), Lopez (182), and Smith (138) also competed well at Districts to earn a spot at State in their final year. Smith, notably, has competed in the “heartbreak round”, which is basically the “win and you’re in, or lose and you’re out” match. His freshman, sophomore, and junior year, Smith competed in the heartbreak round and lost. Finally, at long last, Smith will be heading to his first State appearance. What a wonderful way to cap off one’s senior season.
Walker Johnson (126) finished runner-up at Districts and will compete in his second State appearance as a sophomore. Walker’s District Championship match was a close one, only to lose 2-6. Walker is another grappler who will have high expectations heading into State.
The freshmen Schnell (195) and Cabello (145) will compete in their first State competition. Schnell finished 3rd at Districts, and Cabello finished 4th, enough so to accumulate spots at State.
A total of 13 wrestlers competed in the B-4 District competition on February 8-9, in Sidney. Sophomores DJ Weare, Jacob Baldwin, and Cameron Nagaki, Juniors Christian Hulsey, and Donald Rednest also competed in the competition, but fell short of making it to State.
The wrestlers leave Wednesday morning to Omaha and the first matches are set to begin Thursday morning. Good luck to all AHS wrestlers. Go for gold!
