Wrestling

Marion, Hillsboro each send 2 to state

By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Marion

Warrior wrestlers Gavin Regier and Brian Nguyen will be heading to state competition this week in Salina.

Nguyen finished 3-0 Saturday in Eureka, winning his regional championship.

It’s his first time qualifying for state, and only two of his losses this season were against Class 3-2-1A opponents.

“I feel that Brian has flown under the radar of most wrestlers and coaches in the state, so we are looking to shock some people,” coach Tyler McMichael said.

Regier finished 2-2 Saturday, placing fourth.

“This is Gavin’s senior season, and after not wrestling the last two years, it took a while to get back into the flow of things and remember all that he learned,” McMichael said.

Wrestling will continue into Saturday.

Hillsboro

Trojans Anthony Fickes and Aaron Hein also qualified for state in Salina.

Hein, 27-11 for the season, placed fourth Saturday at regionals.

After losing to Owen Weatherhead in semifinals, he won a decision over Landon Albrecht in consolation semifinals.

Fickes, 7-9 for the season, also placed fourth Saturday.

He too lost his semifinal match but was able to pick up a state spot with a victory by fall over Evan Blue in the consolation semifinals.

This will be the second appearance at state for both Fickes and Hein.

“Our focus this week will turn to the state qualifiers and doing all we can to prepare them for competing at state later this week,” coach Scott O’Hare said.