Returning champions, the undefeated and state qualifiers
The boys state wrestling tournament is full of emotion, highlights, redemption, upsets and comebacks as Sunnyside, Canyon View, Sahuarita, and Santa Cruz grab leads after Day 2
Wrestling
Only handful of brackets saw the top seeds make the semifinals as brutal regular season creates unpredictable first day of action at Veteran's Memorial Coliseum
With a crowned champion and two state qualifiers, the Hawks head into the postseason with confidence
Wrestling coaches and former state champions have varying ideas of the traits needed to be a state champions, but all agree it starts with the confidence it will happen
Female role models in wrestling used to be scarce but the rise in Arizona wrestling has created an opportunity to inspire next generation
All the team section winners
Every program approaches the season differently, meaning someone with more defeats against top competition is more prepared than a wrestler with a sterling record but an easy schedule
The Tigers lost their top player but enter the regular season playing for a region title, while boys wrestling in AZ competes for state title bids, numbers retired
Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith (Pueblo), Daesiah Varner (Cienega) and Madelyn Oliver (Franklin) are two-time champions
The real nitty gritty matches come in the round that decides if a wrestler advances to state or the season is over
List prior to the regional playoffs
Mountain View girls and Sahuarita boys win
The Aztecs picked up Doc Wright at last second after Poston Butte tournament canceled; WF girls cruise past CDS squad
The Doc Wright wrestling tournament has flourished under the direction of Justin and Jeff Hartman
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