Five Tosa wrestlers competed inthe State Tournament in 2026. Seniors Ali Baker and Kira Simpson, along with Sectional Champions Andrevion Jones, Maxx Huston, and Will Freeborn, have battled through a grueling season to earn their spots at State.

For the five athletes advancing to the tournament, the work doesn’t stop on the mat. Reflecting on their season, the wrestlers noted that one of the biggest daily challenges they face is ensuring they stay within their weight class.

“I try to stay one to two pounds under my weight class throughout the whole season so I don’t have to cut weight every week,” senior Kira Simpson said.

Staying under that limit is a difficult daily task. While managing weight is a constant challenge, senior Ali Baker tries to stay close to her natural weight to ease the process.

“You lose a pound or two after practice just from sweating out water weight,” Baker said, highlighting the physical toll required just to remain eligible to compete.

On top of strict dietary discipline at a young age, athletes must constantly train and refine their skills to keep up with the competition. Coach Becker emphasizes the mental and analytical side of the sport to help prepare his team for meaningful matchups.

“You start to judge your own performance and why you performed the way you did,” Coach Becker said. “The more high-level opponents and tough teams you face, the more you’re forced to look at what they did well.”

Becker’s approach to preparation underscores the importance of the wrestling program and his dedication to his students. While he notes that he is always proud of his wrestlers’ progress and views any improvement in their skills as a victory, his competitive drive remains.

“But in the end, I want to see the wrestlers win,” Becker said.