The fourth best sports story in our top 10 countdown for Washington from the 2019-2020 school year takes us to the wrestling mat when a freshman punched his ticket to Wells Fargo Arena.

On February 15th the Demons hosted a class 2A district and Brayden Hartman cracked the top two to qualify for state in his rookie season. At 285 lbs the freshman had a thrilling 3-1 sudden victory over Columbus Community’s Seth Schurr in the first round. Despite getting pinned in the finals, Hartman did not need to wrestle back and claimed a runner-up finish to move on. 

Hartman told KCII Sports the whirlwind of emotions after realizing he was going to state. “Even during my finals match I was constantly checking the other mat’s score. That match went into overtime and as soon as I saw Schurr won and I was going to state I just jumped with happiness. I was really excited.”

The next week at state Hartman was pinned in a pair of matches. Hartman is part of a young core that returns for the Demons next winter. Check back in tomorrow for number three on our Demon countdown when we take a look at cross country.