With hopes of capturing it all, the Manhattan High wrestling team made their way to Wichita for the state competition. With the season on their backs, 13 wrestlers, who had prepared week after week for this moment, were finally in the climax of their season. After last week’s win at Regionals for the Indians, there was hope to push off rivals Garden City for the coveted State title, which the Indians haven’t won since 2012.

Prepared for the two-day tournament, the Indians made their way to Wichita where they would face 31 other teams across Kansas.

During the first day of the tournament, Manhattan qualified three wrestlers to the finals, including junior Mason Wallace, who looked for back-to-back state winning seasons after being victorious as a sophomore. Both seniors and sophomores failed to qualify for finals but still contributed points to Manhattan’s effort.

“We had a rough couple of rounds at the end, we lost a couple of guys that were big point scorers in those rounds to keep up with Garden [City],” Junior Eldon Picou said.

In the second day, tensions grew for MHS as they found themselves, at one point, beating out Garden City in points.

The scores between the teams would fluctuate throughout the day as the day went on and three Indians found themselves wrestling for the finals and possibly the chance to win the whole thing.

Picou and junior Devin Norris both ended in second losing their final matches in dramatic and heartbreaking fashion.

“It was a good match, It was a hard match. I feel like there are some things that I need to work on in the offseason if I want to place higher next year,”  Picou said.

Picou lost by one in tie-breaker and Norris lost by three in their matches which would ultimately put Manhattan out of contention for the team title.

The last chance Manhattan had at glory was in the 145 lbs. division which would end in Manhattan’s favor as Wallace won his second state title.

“Individually I felt confident going into this tournament because I have put a lot of time [into wrestling],” Wallace said.

Manhattan placed second overall with 141.0, placing higher than 30 other teams but just unluckily coming short of beating Garden City’s 168.5.

“I feel like there are some things that I need to work on in the offseason if I want to place higher next year,” Picou said. “I’m hoping next we can go all the way and go straight to the top.”