Gore grappling trio looking to make history at state
When Gore’s three Class 3A State Tournament qualifiers, 157-pounder Devon Mannon, 165-pounder Jaydan Gates and 215-pounder Kaydin McCartney, take to the mat this weekend at OG&E Pavilion, a.k.a. “The ‘New’ Big House,” in Oklahoma City, they will all try to do something that has not been done in school history — get at least an individual victory on the mat at state.
“That would mean a lot to our program,” said Mannon, who was slated to face Marlow’s Caleb Davis in Thursday’s “wrestle-in” match. “It would get our name out there that our wrestling team has come a long ways — from us placing in ninth place at regionals and a couple off our kids placing in the top five. Hopefully, we’ll place at state.”
Mannon will be making his first-ever appearance at state.
“I was pretty excited,” he said. “Getting to wrestle in something that big is an accomplishment. I’ve been working hard in the wrestling room.”
Gates, who was slated to be in Thursday’s “wrestle-in” match against against Salina’s Brogan O’Neal, also will be making his first state-tournament appearance.
“It feels pretty good,” he said. “I’m excited about wrestling Thursday night. That would be our first win (for Gore High School wrestling) in the state tournament.”
However, such a big tournament is nothing new to Gates, who has been in big-time events such as the National Duals last June in Oaks, Pa., and the 2025 Freestyle and Greco-Roman Nationals last summer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gates is hoping participating in such events will help him this weekend.
“It’s helped me get ready for the competition, be ready to wrestle and take it all three rounds,” Gates said. “It helped me expect to see good competition.”
McCartney was at last year’s state tournament, but did not get a win. However, he’s glad he earned a return trip to “The ‘New’ Big House.”
“It feels really good,” he said. “I’m excited. I just can’t wait.”
McCartney believes he is better shape to do his part to get Gore High School its first-ever state wrestling individual victory.
“I’m already in a position to do better,” said McCartney, who will meet Oklahoma City Heritage Hall’s Canon Bronson in today’s statequarterfinal match. “I just plan on going out there and doing what I do best — wrestle — and see what happens.”
All three would love to be crowned a state champion come Saturday night.
“I would be very happy — and emotional,” McCartney said. “All the hard work will have paid off. I have a really good feeling about it.”
“It would be great,” Gates said. “I’d be happy. I don’t know what I’d say or how I will feel.”
“I would be pretty excited,” Mannon said. “That would be a big accomplishment. Our coach (Jake Constant) and our team has been working so hard in the wrestling room. We’ve been putting in the work. I’d be excited (to win a state title) — and emotional.”
