On Thursday, five state-qualified wrestlers will travel to the University of Missouri campus to compete in the Class 3 state tournament.

Coleman Brainard, Senior
138 lbs

Do you or any wrestlers have any traditions or superstitions?

“I do, this is going to sound weird, but I have special underwear that I weigh in with.”

What is the biggest misconception that non-wrestlers have about your sport?

“That all we do is not eat, which is not true. We just diet.”

Anthony Sederburg, Junior
106 lbs

When you can eat freely again, what’s the first thing you will eat?

“Pizza. We will be going to Shakespeare’s Pizza after the meet.”

Justin Briggs, Sophomore
285 lbs

What is your proudest moment in wrestling thus far?

“Yesterday, when I made it to state.”

What was going through your head when you found out you made it to state?

“Not much, disbelief. During the match I had to win to advance to state, I was almost pinned. I somehow wriggled out and ended up pinning my opponent.”

Zach Fennell, Sophomore
126 lbs

Describe the relationship that wrestlers have with coaches?

“I think every kid in the room has a great relationship with the coaches, because the coaches understand each of us individually, and have taken time to get to know us even though we do have a lot of kids in the room. The coaches are a little different then most coaches they have to show us how to lose as an individual and as a team, and I know that’s hard to do as a coach. For me the coaches are like family.”

Describe how tough it is to cut weight and keep it off with all the temptations.

“Ha great question, It’s hard for sure, but for me I know I’m not the only one going through it. I know I always have someone to help me get the weight down, and I have awesome coaches who will open the wrestling room for us whenever we need it to go in there and sweat and get it down and under control. It’s not for everyone though that’s why some kids can’t do it. You have to be self-disciplined and committed. The hardest part for sure is the diet behind it anyone can go and cut 10 pounds of water weight in one day, but they’re gonna wrestle like crap after wards and be unhealthy there has to be a well balance of eating right and cutting the weight all at the same time. It’s not easy though.

Nate Pullium, Freshman
113 lbs

Tell us about off-season training.

“I wrestle about 3 days a week and work out 5 to 6 days a week.”

Can you describe what an average night at practice like?

“We start with stretching and then we warm up with running and sprints and then we do a light drill and a heavy drill. We cool down with stretching or a jog.”

Video Interviews by Isaac Stormes and Joshua Pritchett