After the regional wrestling meet last weekend, seven wrestlers advanced to state. Seniors Adrian Barraza and Gabe Contreras, junior Judge Zaragoza, sophomores Riley Jacops, Adam Wachnin, Aaron Peterson, and freshmen Clay Coffmann will represent Vandegrift in Dallas this weekend.

“We had some guys that put in a ton of work this off season wrestling as many as 80 matches,” wrestling Coach Greg Cooper said.

Riley Jacops, Adrian Barraza, and Adam Wachnin all qualified for state last year. Adrian Barraza also qualified for state two years ago.

“Last year I made it to the Semis. I’ve been working on my stance because I didn’t have a very good one last season,” sophomore Adam Wachnin said.

To qualify for state wrestlers have to be in the top four in their weight class in districts and then again in regionals. There are four regions that each sends four wrestlers in each weight class. There is a 16 man bracket that has double elimination.

“This is my first year at state and I think I have a good chance at placing from what I know of the other people who are going from our region and from the other regions as well,” junior Judge Zaragoza said.