After successfully defending their District 18 title for the fifth year in a row, the Lake Highlands High School wrestling team traveled to Houston last weekend for the UIL Region III Championships.

All 14 varsity wrestlers qualified for regionals – 12 as full qualifiers and two alternates. After all the action was complete on Sunday, a total of seven 'Cats advanced to the state tournament, six as full qualifiers and one alternate.

As a team, the Wildcats scored 144 points and placed second out of 79 teams. For this effort, Wildcats head coach Pete Grieder was awarded Coach of the Year for Region III.

"I was very surprised," Grieder said of winning the honor.

"I guess they felt I've done a really good job with the team. The Allen coach is certainly deserving, but I'm proud of the of the 2012 squad and everything we've accomplished so far this season. As a team, we're peaking at the right time."

Two underclassmen continued to shine for the 'Cats and brought home gold medals from the regional championships – junior D'Andre Brumfield (106 lb) and sophomore Thayer Atkins (113 lb).

For Atkins, it's another one for the history books. After becoming the first freshman to place at the state tournament last year (with his fourth place finish), Atkins made history again at this year's regional tournament.

While pinning his way to the championship, Atkins picked up his 100th career win in the process and became the first sophomore in Lake Highlands High School history to win his 100th match this early in his career.

For his efforts at the tournament, Atkins was also awarded the Most Outstanding Wrestler trophy for the tournament.

Atkins is now the lone Wildcat without a blemish on his season record, which stands at an amazing 52-0.

Brumfield's first place finish was also impressive. The 106 lb. junior went into the District 18 tournament undefeated but took his first loss of the year, placing second in the process.

However, the loss at the district tournament didn't shake the talented junior who rolled through the regional championships and brought home gold. Brumfield is now 42-1 heading into the state tournament.

"His district loss was a fluke loss," Grieder said.

"Sometimes losing is the best thing for you – it allows you to get your focus back. He was probably in the hardest weight class in the region and had to upset the number one ranked wrestler in the state to win the final match."

Also performing well at the Region III Championships were seniors Ryan Branch (Hwt), Nathan Schulman (138 lb), Lee Lueder (160 lb) and Henry Offord (182 lb).

Branch placed third while Schulman, Lueder and Offord all placed fourth and punched their ticket to Austin as full qualifiers for the state tournament.

Qualifying for the state tournament as an alternate is senior Biak Thang who placed fifth in the 145 lb weight class. This is the second year in a row Biak has qualified for state as an alternate.

The state tournament will be held in Austin in two weeks; February 24th & 25th at the Austin ISD Delco Center.

Congrats to the LHHS Wildcats on a great season and best of luck to all the state qualifiers!

GO 'CATS!