Blackman boys wrestling made a statement this year as multiple people qualified for state. One wrestler, Thomas Rubio, placed first in state as a sophomore. 

   Rubio started wrestling because his mom is a wrestling coach. She is the assistant wrestling coach on the girls wrestling team and made him get into wrestling as he used to do jujitsu. Rubio plans to do a summer camp to stay ready for his junior season. 

   “It was surreal,” said Rubio about winning state, adding that he is “excited for next season and ready.” 

   Rubio wasn’t the only Blackman wrestler to have some success this season as Sebron Colson placed second in his weight class. Colson is a senior who does not plan on wrestling in college. 

   “I feel like I met my expectations this season as I wanted to make the finals which I did.” stated Colson. 

   Colson also won Athlete of the month for March as he had the best season out of all the senior wrestlers. 

   Blackman also had a freshman, Drew Workman, place second in state. This is great for Blackman’s future as it shows the wrestling team has some studs. His brother and dad inspired him to start wrestling when he was young. 

   “I came up short in state finals but overall, it was a pretty good year,” stated Workman. 

With Drew qualifying for state as a freshman he has the chance to be the second person at Blackman to qualify for state all four years in high school. Mason Sells was first to do this last year. 

   “It shows me where I’m at but winning is the expectation,” stated Workman. 

   This attitude is good for him as it shows that he is not satisfied with second place and knows that he can be at the top next year. 

   The future for Blackman wrestling is bright as most of their wrestlers are very talented, and they aren’t losing that many seniors.