Vian state-qualifying grapplers ready to go out in style
Three Vian High School wrestlers are anxious to end the season in the brightest way possible — as state champions — as they will compete at the state tournament, which will be Thursday through Saturday at Oklahoma City’s Jim Norick State Fair Arena.
Vian Lady Wolverines senior 135-pounder Avery Richey completed the four-peat of making state all four years as a varsity wrestler after finishing third at the Class 5A Regional Tournament on Feb. 13 at Okmulgee with Dewar being the host school.
“It felt pretty good,” Richey said. “I expected myself to do it. I’ve done it three times before.”
To go out as a state champion in her final year to do so would mean a lot to the Vian senior.
“I would feel pretty good,” said Richey, who won state in 2022. “That (winning state again) is the goal.
The other two Vian state qualifiers, Lady Wolverine 125-pounder Carissa Prock, who was fifth at the regional tournament at Okmulgee, and Wolverine 175-pounder Tristan Wiley, who was fifth at last weekend’s Class 3A Regional Tournament in Vinita, were glad to make it to the state tournament.
“I was crying tears of joy,” Prock said. “It was an emotional night (Feb. 13 at Class 5A Regional Tournament). It was a memorable night for me.”
“It was great,” Wiley said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity (Vian) coach (Garett) Willis gave me to come back from injury and me being sick at the end of the season. Making state is great.
Unfortunately, Wiley was the lone Wolverine to make state as the other five Wolverines who competed at the regional tournament but failed to qualify for state were Gunner Richey (138 pounds), Adoff Stahl (126), Lane Jameson (190), Garritt Hunt (215) and Clay Clark (heavyweight). Richey was trying to be a repeat state qualifier.
For Prock and Wiley, to win state in their first visits there would be memorable.
“I would probably be excited, but crying (tears of joy) still,” Prock said. “I can’t imagine a better way to end the season.”
“There’s no words for that,” Wiley said. “It’s going to be pure joy and excitement. It will get me ready for next year when I’m a senior.”
