With three rounds now complete at the State Tournament in Austin, senior D.D. Fields (125 lb.) and freshman Thayer Atkins (112 lb.) are still in the hunt for a podium spot after ending day one on a high note with a win.

Atkins was first up with his round three bout against Jeff Jordan from Ellison. Atkins took control of the match at the end of the first period with a take down. Up 2-0 in the second, Atkins scored again after he tilted Jordan and picked up back points.

An escape put Jordan on the board, but Atkins responded with another take down and added on back points yet again, taking a commanding 8-1 lead. Jordan added another point put the 8-2 lead would stand.

Atkins advances.

Fields took the mat next in bout 253 against J.T. Smith from Henderson. After an overtime win against Smith two weeks ago at Regionals, Fields entered the match tired but confident. While the match didn't take an extra period, it didn't go off without suspense.

Tied 1-1 late in the third period, Fields went for broke and caught Smith for a take down with under 20 seconds remaining in the match. The 3-1 win moves Fields another round deep in the final tournament of his high school career.

Wildcats head coach, Pete Grieder, commented late today on his wrestlers' day one performance.

"We lost to two tough, highly touted kids but we fought hard and won all the matches - ones we thought could have gone either way. Both D.D. and Thayer wrestled very well today."

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Atkins takes on Marc Henning from Strake Jesuit in bout 308, and Fields will battle Petey Martinez from Katy in bout 315. We'll be mat-side again and will keep you updated on all the action. Click on the link to view the brackets.

GO 'CATS!