Buffs qualify for state wrestling tournament

Feb. 17—Tickets, punched.

Multiple McAlester wrestlers solidified their spot at the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Class 5A State Wrestling Tournament following strong showings at regionals.

Junior Kenneth Carter (34-4) earned a regional title to his name after a dominant showing in the 157 class. After earning a first-round bye, Carter earned a first-period pin over Claremore's Silas Towry to advance into the quarterfinal round.

Next up was Booker T. Washington's Zypel Meeks, with Carter again earning the early pin to advance into the semifinals. Carter then battled with Will Rogers' Isaac Colon-Arce, jumping out to a 5-0 lead after the first period. He then earned a reversal to start the second period, and saw an opportunity — pinning Colon-Acre to advance to the finals and ensure a spot at state.

Carter faced off against Coweta's Baylor Bart, rocketing out to a 5-1 lead heading into the third period. Once there, Carter went to work once more to earn the pin and seal the regional championship.

Junior Kam Hutchison (30-5) earned his spot at state by finishing in third place in the 120 class. He first earned a pin over Kam Hart from Glenpool to open the regional tournament, followed by an 11-6 decision over Jeremy Ross from Will Rogers to advance into the semifinal.

After a defeat, Hutchison went back to work on the consolation side of the bracket. He took down Sapulpa's Jackson Willingham with a 5-3 decision to score his spot in OKC and advance to the third-place bout.

Hutchison battled against Edison's Teric Hussaini, where he used a 7-4 win to seal third and secure his slot at state.

Sophomore Lee Moore (37-10) earned his spot at state by finishing third in the 113 class. Moore earned a first round bye, and then used a 6-5 decision over Coweta's Caleb Jones to move into the semifinal round.

After a defeat, Moore went back to the mat on the consolation side. He earned a tech fall with a 17-2 win over Pryor's Wyatt Burton, securing his ticket to Oklahoma City and advancing to the third-place match.

Moore faced off against Glenpool's Jayden Worledo, where Lee earned a pin to take home the third-place prize and solidify his sport at state.

Freshman Kale Livingston (21-5) made his way to the state tournament with a fifth-place finish in the 106 class. He started his regional journey with a loss, but didn't let that deter him as he moved into the consolation side of the bracket.

Livingston took down Coweta's Gus Buthod with a pin to move into the consolation semifinals. Although he met a loss, he went back to work in the fifth-place bout against Pryor's Jordan Taylor, using a 14-12 sudden victory win to advance to OKC.

Sophomore Redus Bowman (24-18) was named as a state alternate with a sixth-place finish at 150. His path through regionals began with a bye and win over Edison's Londen Labbe to advance into the quarterfinal round.

Although he lost the next match, he roared back with a pin and win over Tahlequah's Chris Warren. Bowman lost the next bout, but stayed determined in the fifth-place matchup against Labbe once more — finishing in sixth place for the alternate selection spot.

The OSSAA Class 5A State Wrestling Tournament is scheduled for Feb. 22-24 at Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City.