Columbus, Mid-Prairie each earn two state qualifiers

Emotions ran high at Saturday?s district tournament.

Columbus and Mid-Prairie sent seven combined athletes to the district tournament, and both teams came away with two state qualifiers.

For Mid-Prairie, the qualifications came with a pair of district championships, as Levi Duwa (220 pounds) and Duncan McCain (113 pounds) each claimed titles.

However, there was a lot of heartbreak for two Mid-Prairie wrestlers, as senior Cameron Tolander and junior Visouth Peterschmidt failed to advance.

?I thought Duncan and Levi wrestled lights out,? Mid-Prairie head coach Justin Garvey said. ?They did everything they had to do. Cameron (Tolander) wrestled not to lose, and it?s unfortunate in your senior year, but it happens sometimes. Visouth got into the finals, and came up just a little bit short.?

Duwa, who earned his second-straight state appearance, won his matches with a 58-second pin fall and a 13-2 major decision, and hopes to keep his momentum rolling in to the tournament.

?I just want to be at the top of the podium,? Duwa said. ?That?s been my goal ever since the end of last year. I fell short last year and I think this year will be the year I can finally do some damage.?

McCain had a sectional tournament rematch on the way to his district title, meeting up with Columbus? Josh Keller in the first-place match. After falling to Keller twice this season, McCain got the better of him late, earning a 6-4 decision to advance to state for the second time.

?It feels great,? McCain said. ?He?s beaten me two out of the three times, and that?s the match I was looking forward to. I knew I could do it this time, and I knew he would take me to the edge, but it felt nice to finally win against him. It?s a confidence booster too, knowing that no matter who it is, I can get to my shots. He was a state finalist last year, so I have to know I can do it, and execute.?

After falling in the 113 championship match, Keller wrestled for second place, and the reigning state runner-up at 106 pounds will make another appearance at the state tournament, with a 12-4 major decision victory.

?Last year I got second (at districts) and I had a good draw,? Keller said. ?You don?t know how your draw is going to be, so this could be for my benefit. I?m looking to go win the state title. I?m motivated because it?s my last year, so I need to keep grinding for it.?

The other Wildcat to advance was junior Tucker Morrison, who moved on at 170 pounds. With only one loss this season, Morrison is one of the wrestlers to keep an eye on at the tournament, and he has set lofty goals.

?It was my first time last year, so it was more exciting,? Morrison said. ?I?m excited now, but it?s just more work to get done. Nothing will change. I need to keep wrestling the same way. My main goal is to be on top. I want to work my way up the podium.?

The state tournament will begin on Thursday morning.