Garaway wrestlers achieve historic state finish

The Garaway wrestling team put together a season to remember, and while it will be remembered for the mountaintop experience of placing four wrestlers on the podium and sending eight to state and placing higher than ever before as a team in the Division III state tournament, the Pirates will also remember it for the near misses and moments where they believe they can improve.

“I’m really happy for our guys who went down there and competed at a high level,” said Garaway coach Greg Miller. “It’s such a feat to make it to that level, and there is no margin for error once you're there, and I’m really proud of our guys for the effort they put in and the way they approached this season.”

Garaway had eight wrestlers qualify for state, a school record for the program. It also finished tied for ninth in Division III, the highest any Garaway team has ever placed.

The Pirates saw some fantastic finishes that produced positive results, such as Matt Frey and Thomas Grimm coming from behind late in their respective matches to win and make the podium.

Frey (175) and Bryce Books (106) both placed fourth to lead the Pirates. Braylon Books (144) placed sixth and Grimm (215) seventh.

Lukas Miller (113), Mitchell Tetreault (150), Colton Domer (165) and Dillon King (190) also competed for Garaway but didn't reach the podium.

Despite all that, Miller said the team believes it could have done better and will do better next season, with everyone coming back except for King, who graduates.

Miller said that with the success this team experienced the past couple of seasons, the goal now is to continue to build momentum and grow the program, so this type of experience is a recurring theme.

“I really think this experience will motivate us for next year,” Miller said. “We’re already talking about what we need to do to improve for next year so that we aren’t coming home with all the woulda, shoulda, coulda questions. It was a learning experience that will help us build confidence moving forward, and the more reps these kids are willing to put in during the offseason, the more natural and relaxed we’re going to feel in returning to that stage.”