More than 500 wrestlers across the state filled the University of Alaska stadium at the state wrestling tournament on Dec. 17-18. Freshman Hayden Jimenez and sophomore Leo Wald were the only wrestlers representing Haines. Jimenez and Wald placed fourth and fifth in their respective weight classes.

“It felt like a big event and I was definitely more nervous before every match,” Jimenez said. “But as soon as the whistle blew, it all went away and it just became me and him like any old match.”

Jimenez was initially ranked sixth for the tournament and Wald was unranked. Wald said he didn’t expect to place at the state tournament at all. He said his goal for next season is to place in the top three at state.

Jimenez hopes to place first at state for his next few years. He said he wants to be like alumnus Wesley Verhamme and win state at least twice.

Despite not qualifying for state, team captain Jackson Long traveled to the tournament with his teammates. “It was pretty cool watching my teammates place up at state,” said Long. “It was definitely the biggest tournament any of us had been to and was super cool to experience.”

The state tournament concluded the wrestling season.