Three BGM wrestlers punch their tickets to state wrestling

Brock York, Sully Thompson & Reed Slater

By J.O. Parker
 
      Three BGM Bear wrestlers have punched their tickets and will be wrestling at state competition at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Feb. 18-21.
      Brock York a sophomore Sully Thompson, a freshman and Reed Slater, a junior, have all qualified to wrestle on the biggest stage of their prep careers.
       The three wrestlers will take to the mat in their respective weight classes in Class 1A beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Brock York
        York wrestles in the 157 pound weight class and this is his first trip to state.
        York, the son of Ryan York and Jill Hobbs, finished the regular season with a 35 - 11 record.
        He has been wrestling for 11-years, starting in kindergarten.
       “I’ve wrestled a lot in AAU and at state competitions, but it’s a different atmosphere once you get into high school,” said York, “I think it is a big deal to go to state.”
         When asked what he loves about wrestling, York said it builds him up as a person.
        “It teaches me to be humble and respectable,” he said. “I like wrestling because it is all up to me to do good.”
Sully Thompson
           Thompson takes to the mat in the 165 pound weight class.
           This is his first trip to state wrestling competition.
           He is the son of Jamie Thompson and finished the regular season with a 43 - 12 overall record.
           Thompson started wrestling at age 3.
       When asked about wrestling at state, Thompson said he is very excited to join his teammates and compete at a high level.
        “Wrestling has brought me closer to my teammates, coaches and friends,” he said. “It brings people closer together.”
Reed Slater
            Slater, who started wrestling in early elementary school, wrestles in the 215 pound weight class.
            Slater, the son of Josh and Kate Slater, finished the regular season with a 38 - 10 record.
            This is slater’s first trip to compete in state wrestling.
           When asked about qualifying for state, Slater said he wrestled in four matches and went 3-1 including a wrestle back to earn a trip to state.
            “It is pretty surreal,” said Slater. “Going into districts, I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m really happy for it all.”
            As for going to state, Slater said he hasn’t taken it all in.
           “It’s a good group of wrestlers,” said second year Coach Dalton Roberts. “They show up every day and have worked hard all season and deserve it.”
           “You have to learn to love wrestling,” added assistant and former head coach Wyatt Bauman. “That is where you start to see change.”
           “These three wrestlers have fallen in love with the sport,” added Bauman. “These kids love to compete.”