The Warriors faced plenty of suspense in the process. Devin Sherry admits he was a little nervous during Saturday's Class 3 District 3 wrestling meet. The Warrenton grappler had already qualified for this weekend's State Championships. But his training partner and fellow junior Steven Wallace had not. The fate of Wallace's season hinged on a wrestleback to-go match that went into an extra period. "I was getting worried because I knew how badly he wanted it," said Sherry. Trailing 6-2 early in his bout, even Wallace wasn't sure he was going to earn a berth to Columbia. He was staring disappointment in the face for a potential third straight year. "I was getting a little panicky about half way through the second period," said Wallace. He refused to be denied. Wallace escaped that 135 pound match and ultimately finished third during Saturday's meet. The emotions were almost too much for him. "Relief," said Wallace. "I wanted to start doing backflips." He says being on the brink of defeat made the triumph bittersweet. "I've been working so hard ever since last year when I didn't make it," said Wallace. "To finally make it in that way is like I earned it. I didn't have to go out there and wrestle a fish. I hadn't wrestle somebody who wanted just a much as I did. It makes it mean more." He will be one of five Warriors competing at the State Championships, beginning on Thursday at the Mizzou Arena. Warrenton finished sixth as a team. "Going into it if you told me we'd get five through, I'd be satisfied," said Fowler. That field includes a pair of experienced veterans at the state level. Junior Zach Schall is making his third trip to state, battling in the 112-pound bracket. He finished third on Saturday, defeating Sean Canady of Parkway North. Schall had faced an early-round setback against Zumwalt North's Cody Orr - one of only three wrestlers to beat his this season. "I faced a No. 1 seed last year and that's not the best way to go," said Schall. "Once I had qualified this time, I wanted to place myself in the best position possible to compete at state." Also advancing was Sherry, who slipped in to the state meet with a fourth seed last February. This weekend he will open first-round action as the higher seed, having finished third at districts. Sherry considers that an accomplishment, having come into districts unseeded in the 130-pound bracket. He upset the tournament's second seed and battled his way into the championship bout, before losing to Boris Koblents of Parkway North. "It was pretty cool to not be seeded and come in and take out the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds along the way," said Sherry. "I just kept my head clear and focused." "Devin stepped it up to another level on Saturday," said Fowler. Joining the lower weight competitors in Columbia will be a pair of first-time state qualifiers. Junior John Meyer (28-12) will enter as a second seed, after falling to Zumwalt East's Mark Russell in Saturday's championship tilt. Meyer will open the 189 pound bracket against Kearney's Ashton Hiatt, a junior who is 12-12. "I'm ecstatic," said Meyer. "It's the greatest feeling that I've had in wrestling is to be able to go to state now. All of these guys that made it have been working their tales off trying to make it." Warrenton will also be represented in the 285 class again. Last year Wes Baker reached the state meet. This time sophomore Reece Berry will get his initial taste of the championship event. Berry finished third at districts and will take his 27-14 record against Dylan Janes of Poplar Bluff. "Reece ran into a returning state finalist and bounced back for third," said Fowler. "He's gotten a lot smarter and has probably improved more than anybody this year." Fowler says this year's task is less daunting since none of the Warriors will have to face No. 1 seeds in the opening round. "Looking at our draws, we did fairly," said Fowler. "There were a couple places that if we'd lost, we would be in big trouble on Thursday. Our guys did a good job of finishing and putting themselves in good position."