Seniors Rodrick Williams, Clay Lewis, Erick Polanco, and juniors Brittany Marshall, and Beatriz Sanchez, are all on their way to Austin to compete in the state wrestling tournament this weekend after advancing through regionals two weekends ago, the end of another successful run for coach Kent Hall.

“I kind of have mixed feelings,” said Hall of the season’s end. “I’m kind of excited they were going to state. But it’s also the end of another season.”

The state tournament features the best wrestlers in Texas and will be the biggest challenge for the team.

“Eric Polanco [first wrestles] a kid from Allen, who’s probably one of the best in the state,” Hall said. “And I think we have a chance to win the other two.”

But Hall added that the team is in need of some more wrestlers next year to continue the tradition.

“I would like to get more people out,” Hall said. “I would like to get all of the girls’ weight [divisions] filled next year. We did a better job this year. Out of 10 spots, eight were filled.”

This year has also been a milestone for Hall, seeing as this is the first season in seven years that a member of the McKinney family hasn’t wrestled for the team. Michael McKinney, the last of the brothers, lost only one match as a senior last year and finished as the state runner-up in his class.

“For seven years I’ve had a McKinney, and I haven’t had one this year, so, yeah it has been different,” Hall said. “What’s been nice with them is that you always had someone who was going to get you to the finals.

“And this year I wasn’t sure who was going to step up and get us there, but I’ve been really pleased. We’ve placed in almost all the tournaments, and they’ve really wrestled well this year. I’m really proud of this team.”