Not unlike the district tournament, there were many story lines one could tell from the regionals.

At the top of the list are Isaac Kinsella and Isaac Grieder who are both undefeated on the season.

Both wrestlers entered the regional tournament as #1 seeds in their respective weight class. Neither disappointed, and both ended up completely dominating the field.

On his way to the regional title, Grieder went 4-0 and won three of his matches, including the championship match, by way of pins.

In the championship match, Rockwall’s Dylan Devereaux was the only thing standing in the way of Grieder’s title.

At 36-5 on the season, Devereaux was no slouch but was a bit of an unknown after dodging Grieder at the LHHS quad meet a few weeks earlier.

Grieder saved his best performance of the tournament for last, making quick work of Devereaux. Within six seconds of the start of the match, Grieder had already elevated Devereaux off the mat and slammed him before getting the win by way of pin just 35 seconds later.

Grieder is now 56-0 on the season and heads to the state tournament with one thing in mind - bringing the title home to Lake Highlands. As a previous two-time state qualifier and nearly taking the state title last year, the state tournament is familiar territory for Grieder.

After taking his junior year off from wrestling, and battling late season injuries this year, Kinsella has managed to keep it all together and went into the regional tournament with a 32-0 record.

As a sophomore Kinsella was a state qualifier, so his skill level was no secret. Now as a senior, Kinsella entered the regional tournament as the #1 seed in the 135 lb, weight class.

Any questions about Kinsella’s health and ability to live up to that #1 seed were quickly put to rest on day one of the tournament.

Kinsella won his first three matches with a combined score of 52-24. For the final match on Saturday, John Pacheco from Westside High School was Kinsella’s opponent.

Unlike Kinsella’s first three opponents on Friday, Pacheco put up one heck of a fight and gave Kinsella his toughest challenge of the season.

With just under 30 seconds remaining in the match, the score was tied 1-1 when Kinsella went on the attack and scored on the only take-down registered in six minutes of action.

It was the take-down that put Kinsella up 3-1, which was good for the win.

Head Coach Pete Grieder commented on the team’s performance.

“We ended up about as I had expected,” said Grieder. “Coming in, I thought we’d be able to qualify at least three to the state tournament and had an outside chance at sending six guys."

"We had a shot there at the end to qualify a couple more guys, but overall I’m pleased with the way we performed.”

As always, the state tournament will be held in Austin and is scheduled for Friday, February 26th and Saturday February 27th.

Lake Highlands Today will be at the tournament and will be providing updates as the action unfolds.

Congrats to all the Wildcats on a great performance at the regional tournament and best of luck to all the state qualifiers!

GO ‘CATS!