History made for Aledo

The Aledo wrestling program will continue its best season ever as three wrestlers qualified for the Class 5A State Meet Feb. 13-14 in Cypress. Pictured are (from left) assistant coach Doug Wheeler, Piper Wheeler (the first girl to qualify in team history), Charles Anderson, Cam Becera (alnernate), Brady Powell, and head coach Ben Shaw.

 History was made as freshman Piper Wheeler became the first girl from Aledo to qualify for state. She did so by finishing second in the 190-pound division.

Also advancing to state for the Bearcats were senior Brady Powell and freshman Charles Anderson. Powell placed third in the 190 weight class and Anderson was fourth in the 126 division.

Junior Cam Becera placed fifth in the 285 division and is an alternate for state, which will be held at the Berry Center in Cypress Feb. 13-14.

The top four finishers in each weight class qualified for state.

Also medaling for the Ladycats was freshman Milena Prole, placing sixth in the 110 weight class. In addition, junior Ollie Tatro and Ben Hungerford placed sixth in the 138 and 165 classes, respectively.

The Bearcats finished sixth among the boys team standings, a vast improvement from placing 28th last season.

This performance came on the heels of the Bearcats placing second and the Ladycats third in the District 5-5A Tournament the week before. In all, Aledo qualified 18 individuals (11 boys, seven girls) for regionals.

“Those numbers alone speak to the growth of our program, but what made this tournament especially meaningful was what our athletes accomplished on the mat,” coach Benjamin Shaw said. “For the girls, we had two wrestlers place in the top six for the first time in school history, with one of those athletes reaching the regional finals and becoming the first Aledo girl to ever qualify for the state tournament. That moment was special not just for her, but for our entire program and for the future of girls wrestling at Aledo. 

“On the boys’ side, five wrestlers placed in the top six, with three earning spots at the state tournament. These results are a direct reflection of the time, effort, and commitment our athletes have put in all season long.”

Powell and Anderson won district, while Hungerford was second and Becera was third. Wheeler also placed third.

Also competing at regionals for Aledo were:

Boys: Cameron Robbins, 113; Dylan Chandler, 120; Brice Bohn, 132; Mason Opsahl, 144; J.D. Neff, 150; and Ian Crosby, 215. Cooper Kiwior, 105; and Grayson McNeal, 157, were alternates.

Girls: Lillian Carruthers, 100; Grace Beasley, 105; Joy Stephens, 120; Braylin Wiggins, 130; and Maddie Elliot, 155. Morgan Sanford, 145, was an alternate.

“Overall, Aledo Wrestling had a great weekend at regionals, and I could not be more proud of our athletes,” Shaw said. “Regionals really felt like an exclamation point on a year where we saw consistent growth and success across the program. As a coach, it is an exciting time because we are returning most of our lineup next season, and this group has shown they are hungry to keep raising the standard for what Aledo Wrestling can be.”