For the first time since 2010, the Warrenton boys wrestling team are district champions.

The Warriors won the Class 3, District 2 tournament on Feb. 22, placing first out of 16 teams with 173 points. They also will be sending seven wrestlers to the Class 3 state tournament.

“We knew it was going to be a bit of a battle. I told the guys ‘hey we have an opportunity here, but we have to come out on fire and we got to attack them.’ That’s what they did the first day and we never gave up after that,” Head Coach Clayton Olsson said.

Over half of the Warriors that competed in districts have booked their tickets to the state tournament in Columbia Feb. 28-March 1.

These wrestlers are Nathan Donovan, Zayden Teson, Manny McCauley, Noah Lohrmann, Max Teson, Korben Johnson and Lucas Burroughs.

Donovan and Burroughs qualified for state for the first time. The remaining five will be returning to the state level.

Olsson attributed the team’s growth and maturity to their district title.

Donovan, who competed in the 106-pound class placed second after having wrestled junior varsity just the year prior.

“He put in a lot of work over the summer, whether it was the weight room, extra camps, practices. Then he comes to districts, makes the finals, takes second place and earns his way to state,” Olsson said.

Johnson captured the district title at 175 after placing fourth a year ago. Max Teson placed third at 150 despite being bumped up a class.

In addition, Zayden Teson at 113, and McCauley at 126, claimed district titles. Burroughs medaled second at 215 and Lohrmann medaled third at 138.

“All the guys that we have this year, they’re battlers. They don’t give up on anything easy. They go out and fight,” Olsson said.

As the group of seven prepares for state, Olsson will be fueling the team with the same advice he has been preaching all year.

“It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about how you compete. ‘How are you representing yourself out there on the mat? Are you battling? Are you competing?’ You can’t necessarily control everything but you can control your performance,” Olsson said.

In the lead-up to the state tournament, the Warriors will be focusing on sharpening their skills and continuing to improve.

“I’m really proud of the team, even the guys that didn’t qualify. It takes a lot of work just to have the success we’ve been having and not just from the wrestlers, but the assistant coaches and the dedicated parents,” Olsson said. “It’s a great culture and atmosphere we’re building out here and I’m proud of it.”