The Mount Vernon wrestling team did not have things go their way last weekend at State Duels. The team got 8th and did not win any duals but making it means something to this team.

 At the start of the season, the Mustangs were ranked number 1. A few weeks into the season they had many injuries and problems within their team, and their ranking fell to number 11. Even with everything that happened they pushed through to make it to Class 2A State Duals, finishing 8th. 

“It was cool to get to wrestle in front of all the fans who were there, “said Jaxon Anderson (175).  “It made me feel like I was wrestling at a higher level than school.“

Being in the Xtream Area was a whole experience for the wrestlers since they were not supposed to make it, so they just tried to enjoy being there with their friends. “The dual with Indy was close in the beginning,” Cooper Krob (106)  said. “I thought we had a chance to win with winning some matches early on.“ 

The dual against Independence was important to the team since Mount Vernon always wrestles them. A rivalry was formed earlier on in the year when Mount Vernon beat them and wanted to beat them again since we had the chance. 

“Although we didn’t win at duals, it was still a lot of fun because to pass the time in between duals,” Cooper Hird (165) said. Hird enjoyed playing spike ball. Playing spike ball at state duals has become a ritual since they have to wait for so long they play to help pass the time. This ritual started when they saw another team doing it and asked if they could join. Spikeball is a game where u hit a ball in a net and try to not let it touch the ground. Every year after that the team brings their own to help past the time. 

Overall the team may have not won much but really enjoyed their time and spending time with their friends. They are also very proud of where the team ended up this season and what they had to overcome.