Rose Hill traveled to the 4A State Wrestling tournament in Salina at Tony’s Pizza Events Center last weekend and came home state champions. The Rockets sent nine boys and seven came home with medals. Out of those seven, three of them were state champions – juniors Johnny Leck, Samson Whitted, and Damon Ingram. 

The Rockets took home the winning trophy with 157.5 points; 27.5 points better than with Tonganoxie. This was the first state championship in school history.

“Obviously it feels pretty good. We’re super proud of our kids, coaches,” said head coach, Chris Saferite. “We put in a lot of time and effort for this for it to finally happen.”

Leck won his second state title in the 132 pound class. Leck is looking forward to going for his third state title next year for his senior season after he fell short his freshman year and got second place.

“I definitely feel accomplished, I finished the best I’ve done since last year. We won state, nothing better you can do but that,” Leck said.

Whitted scored his first state title in the 106 pound class after a long year of hard work and dedication. After wrestling junior varsity freshman year and not wrestling last year, Whitted had a remarkable year with an amazing finish that ended with a backflip.

“It’s a great feeling. It kinda all set in once I got home,” Whitted said. “Just knowing I won the 4A state championship feels good.”

Ingram also won his first state title in the 138 lb weight class. At this point in the tournament the Rockets were already leading and announced as the state champions for class 4A.

“It makes me proud and I’m very excited. I really didn’t know it would happen but it’s been a dream of mine since I was six,” Ingram said. 

All three state champs stated they wanted to be state champions since they were six years old which shows how much dedication they put in to make it far and bring home three medals and a plaque for a first place team.