Conner Leads Scots to State Tourney
Highland Park will send six wrestlers to the UIL state tournament this weekend after a runner-up finish in the team standings at the Class 5A Region III meet on Feb. 17 in Bryan.
The Scots won regional titles in two weight classes, including Spencer Buchholz at 138 pounds and defending state champion Aidan Conner at 195 pounds.
Conner, a junior, is unbeaten in 45 dual matches this season. He will start his state-title defense against Lubbock Monterey’s Makyiah Sandoval (31-7) on Friday at the Berry Center in Cypress. Sandoval was fourth at the Region I meet.
Buchholz (39-9 this season) will open the state tournament by facing Jesse Castro (44-8) of Beeville Jones, who is the fourth-place finisher from Region IV.
HP’s Caleb Kimzey (43-9), who placed second at 152 pounds at regionals, will meet Corpus Christi Carroll’s Adolfo Almanza (42-3) in the first round.
Jeremy Hanes (27-7), the regional runner-up at 220 pounds, is slated to compete against Azle’s Shawn Joseph (31-11) to begin the tournament.
Colby Hopkins (27-3) was third at 182 pounds, and will square off against Brandon Francisco (33-8) of Beeville Jones in his opening match. Kiefer Weztel (30-20), who finished fourth at 126 pounds, will face Region I champion Xavier Torres (38-8) of Canyon Randall.
