Four Marauders finished in the top three in their respective weight classes at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley on Feb. 11, with the team as a whole finishing just shy of a state title.
Thunderbird High School claimed the Division III state crown, scoring 121 points, only 16 more than Mingus Union High School’s total of 105.
“I a bit surprised on how well we did after the sectional results. I knew we could do well, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure,” second-year Mingus Head Coach Klint McKean said.
Mingus finished third in the Section I [Division III] Championships on Feb. 4.
Amphitheater and Blue Ridge high schools finished tied for third with 103 points while Moon Valley High School wrapped up the top five with 92.5 points.
Senior Justin Zaske was the only Marauders wrestler to claim an individual state title Feb. 11, defeating Chino Valley High School standout Jake Lund in the 160-pound finals, 6-4.
“Justin [Zaske] had a great section tourney and a great state tournament. He’s a two-time state champ now. It was a close match. He scored from all positions. What a great way to end his career,” McKean said.
Zaske finished his high school career with a 47-6 overall record as a senior for the Marauders and a state championship medal hanging from his neck.
Dillon Lightfoot, a senior for Mingus, finished second overall in the 145-pound weight class, losing to Rio Rico High School star Marky Lopez in the finals, 6-0.
Senior Brandon Morales also finished second overall, losing 3-2 to Patrick Dalcerro from Chino Valley High School in the title match.
At 132 pounds, Mingus junior Hank Goettl defeated Sabina High School standout Matt Repp in the third-place match and 138-pound junior Chase Reams took fourth after losing to Youngker High School product Chris Mata in the third-place match, 6-4.
Goettl finished his junior season with a 34-5 overall record while Reams was 19-10 overall. Both should be solid for the Marauders in 2012-2013 as seniors.
