Quincy Rice had a nice weekend for himself at the Class 2 District 2 meet in Mexico the weekend of February 20-21.

The only downsides to the meet, which saw him qualify for the Class 2 state meet this week at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, came in a short span of time.

Rice went 3-2 at the event to place fourth and qualify. The trip to Columbia means Rice has made good on one of his season-long goals.

“I (worked) really hard in the off-season,” Rice said earlier this season. “I've gotten a lot stronger. (State is the goal.)”

Wright City Coach Fred Ross said the only trouble Rice faced came in quick fashion at the end of his semifinal match against Winfield’s Alexavier Bennett and then, again, in facing the tournament’s top seed, Boonville’s Bryce Newham by fall in 43 seconds after having already secured the state spot.

“I thought that he wrestled very well both days,” Ross said. “His loss in the semifinal came down to a single takedown. (In the third-place match) he was just overpowered by the No. 1 seed, who was upset earlier in the day.”

When it truly mattered most, though, Rice came through.

In the consolation semifinal, wrestling for a spot at state, Rice defeated Moberly’s Chance Luntsford by fall in 2:55.

Now, as he moves on to the state championship, Ross said his goals for Rice in his final meet are simple.

“I just want him to wrestle well and compete,” the coach said.