HESPERIA – After a year absence, the Hesperia wrestling program marks its return to the Division 4 state quarterfinals Friday.
Led by six individual state qualifiers, the fourth-seeded Panthers (36-6) face fifth-seeded Springport (28-6) at noon at Central Michigan’s McGuirk Arena.
"They have a bunch of studs where we have a bunch of studs at and we’re preparing for them and we’re just getting ready,” said senior Josh Ehrke, ranked second at 285 pounds."
Hesperia has reached its fifth quarterfinal since 2009 via a win over Hart (46-19) in districts and victories against Kent City (54-21) and St. Louis (43-27) in the regional round.
Winners of the Division 4 state championship in 2008 and a five-time state runner-up (1999, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013), Hesperia has established a winning tradition. And with that winning tradition comes an expectation.
"We have the capability of winning it, but we just need to make sure that we keep our heads together, we do what we have to do,” said senior 140-pounder Logan Eaves. “All of our teammates, all of our family members, everybody in Hesperia, always expects us to come home, hopefully, with a state trophy."
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