Four Akins athletes recently qualified for the state wresting championship this weekend.

Anna Becerra, Alex Boles, Austin Boles and Natalie Chapman all advanced past regionals to qualify for the event.

Austin Boles 36-0 during the season (5-0 in district) and Anna Becerra 31-6 in season and (3-0 in district) were the champions in their respected weight classes during the regional tournament.

“When your sitting in the No. 1 spot at the state in your weight class there is a lot of pressure,” senior Austin Boles said. “It’s good pressure, but if you let it get to you it can turn into bad pressure and qualifying for state is about taking that pressure and turning it into something useful,” senior Austin Boles said.

The team is preparing for state during the interval before the tournament starts. Practicing for the start of the tourney is essential for these contestants.

“We are practicing vigorously and drilling and conditioning 10 times harder than we usually do, but it’s getting us ready for our competition,” junior Anna Becerra said.

The season has been one of the many sports success stories at Akins this year as the wrestling program sent the most contestants to state this year than they have in any year before.

“Everyone that is heading to state is dedicated and are hard workers because they always give it 110 percent on the mats,” Wrestling coach Roy Tambunga said.

The state competition will feature some of the best wresters from all over the state but the team is ready for everything coming their way and they look to walk out on top.

“When I go into a match I get my mindset saying, ‘I’m the best in the state,’” Boles said. “And when I tell myself this I start wrestling like it.”