Earlier this month, the Highlands High School boy’s varsity wrestling team went to regionals. The birds have had a pretty good season overall, as junior Zach Russ gave us insight into how they have performed. 

“It’s gone pretty good, we’re about 50/50 in the dual meets, we’ve got a few really good weight classes and some younger kids that are just getting used to the sport.”

Although Russ along with others places highly, it was junior Rilen Pinkston that was able to win his respective weight class and advance to semi-state.

Pinkston described the feeling of winning regionals as “great”, and stated there was “no competition” on his path to the finals. 

Russ also spoke on Pinkston’s development from last year compared to this year.

“Rilen has definitely made huge improvements from last year and he was already good last year he placed at state. He’s still undefeated, he dominated at regionals, and throughout the season, he pinned the 1-4 regional placers in the weight class above him so that’s really good.”

Russ, Junior Will Gallagher, and Pinkston had the opportunity to witness their sport at the college level by watching the Ohio State vs Penn State match a couple of weekends ago, giving them the opportunity to think about the future and different possibilities.

Pinkston described the experience as “eye-opening”.

“It was definitely an eye-opening experience, and inspiring for what I want to do in my future because I want to wrestle in college.”

Be sure to wish Rilen luck as he heads to state!