The road to the state wrestling tournament begins this afternoon for the Washington Demon wrestling team (25-3). The Class 2A Section 8 wrestling tournament is being held this weekend at Mediapolis High School and includes: Washington, Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union, Fairfield, Louisa-Muscatine, Mediapolis, and West Burlington.

Washington wrestling coach Brent Van Weelden explains how to advance to next weekend’s district tournament, “Out of the six teams, the top two kids in each weight class moves on to the district tournament held the following week in Fairfield.” Van Weelden said, “Then the top two kids out of the district tournament moves on to the state tournament in Des Moines.”

Van Weelden adds in the district tournament, they deicide the true second place wrestler. This means if the second and third place wrestler haven’t met on the mat, they would hold one final match to decide who to advance to the district tournament.

The Washington wrestlers vying for a spot in the district tournament include: sophomore Alex Latcham (106), sophomore Andrew Waite (113), sophomore Kyle Anderson (120), sophomore Austin Hazelett (126), junior Michael Ellingson (132), sophomore Trey Van Weelden (138), senior Alex Gonzalez (145), junior Bryce Rickey (160), freshman Tanner Murphy (170), sophomore Karlton Skubal (182), senior Brad Skubal (195), sophomore Seth Townsen (220), and freshman Mitchell Huisengea (285).