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Julian Sanchez (11) and Jacob Rider (12) utilize their sense of humor to lead the Manitou wrestling team.

Regionals, the meet that decides who will be advancing to state, is coming up, and the wrestlers are feeling the pressure. Jonathan Nagel (12), Jacob Rider (12), and Julian Sanchez (11) are probable to get to state.  The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to state.

Sanchez has a win loss record of 23-5, the best on the team. “It feels good, but I try not to get caught up in records,” he said. Sanchez has a total of 13 pins, also the most of anyone on the team. A pin is an automatic victory, and in order to get a pin the wrestler must hold his opponent in his back for a set amount on time. A near fall is when only one shoulder is touching the ground. Sanchez only has two of these. “I just don’t get there,” he said.  

Rider is placed a close second behind Sanchez, with a win-loss record of 20-6. Two of those losses, he believes, were against the same opponent. “They were just good opponents,” Rider said about his six losses. Rider has multiple opponents and is looking forward to the multiple day regional wrestling tournament this weekend. He has been wrestling for two years and overcame a back injury. “I never thought that I would be this good at wrestling,” he said. Rider is looking forward to facing some of the same opponents.

Sanchez will not be having a rematch with his losses. Nagel is feeling the state pressure. “Since no one made it last year, I definitely want to this year,” he said.

Regionals will be held on Saturday, February 13 in Lamar.