Aledo grapplers shine at district

With their best district performance in their young history, the Aledo Bearcats and Ladycats now set their sights on regional competition.

Aledo qualified a dozen competitors (8 boys, 4 girls) for the 5A Region I Tournament this weekend, Feb. 7-8, in Lubbock following the District 4-5A Tournament in Azle on Jan. 31.

The top four finishers in each weight class qualified for regionals, while the top four in each division at regionals will move on to state at the Berry Center in Houston Feb. 14-15.

Qualifying for the Bearcats were:

• Brice Bohn, second in 126-pound weight class.
• Brady Powell, second in 175 class.
• Cameron Robbins, third in 106.
• Dylan Chandler, third in 120.
• Oliver Tatro, fourth in 132.
• Benjamin Hungerford, fourth in 144.
• Cade Rangel, fourth in 215.

As a team, the Bearcats were fourth out of 18 squads.

Ladycats qualifying for regionals are:

• Ari Mathias, second in 138.
• Joy Stephens, third in 120.
• Lillian Carruthers, fourth in 100.
• Avery Kernan, fourth in 107.

Narrowly missing a regionals berth and going as an alternate is Grace Beasley, who placed fifth in the 114 division.

The Ladycats were sixth out of 18 in the team standings.

Bohn and Kernan are making return trips to regionals. Bohn was an alternate to state in 2023.

"Aledo wrestling as a program had a great showing at the UIL District 4-5A tournaments. The girls varsity team had a fantastic showing. Their hard work and dedication in training truly paid off," first-year Aledo coach Ben Shaw said.

"The boys varsity also performed admirably throughout the tournament. They demonstrated great determination, winning several close matches to secure their spot for the next round.

"I am extremely proud of both teams and their continuous drive to improve in their wrestling abilities. We will be back to work this week as we prepare to qualify for state. The future of Aledo wrestling looks bright with such dedicated and hardworking kids."

Junior varsity

Two Bearcats won their weight classes, Matthew Douglas at 111-121 pounds and Gabriel Opsahl at 116-126. Three others finished second, Keydan Lemen in the 111-121 class, David Sanchez in 160-176 and Gunner Swaim in 166-179.

Placing third were Blaze Beasley (133-142) and Thomas Hopkins (144-153). Fourth-place finishers were Noah Chasteen (126-130), Easton Chisam (131-135), Kaiden Jones, (133-142), Colton Adolph (166-179) and Sebastian Barberena (188-190).

Scarlett Hall placed in the 120-131 weight class for the girls JV.