The Bryant Hornet Wrestling Team has a reputation for doing well in the sport. With regionals over, students focused on state. In order to qualify for state, which occurred on Feb. 23-24, students had to make the top four in regionals.

At state, Bryant ended with 10.0 team points. One of those points was scored by sophomore Jayton Jones while the other nine came from senior Jaheem Zakka. Three students made it to the quarterfinals but due to technicalities/falling, only one of them placed at state. Zakka placed fourth for 6A 144 lbs weight class.

Zakka is in his third year of wrestling and is used to the pressure that comes with competing.

“Mentally I go onto the mat confident and thinking at the end of the match my hand will be raised because I know my coaches have prepared me for what’s to come,” Zakka said. “I think that if that’s not your mindset that you’ve already lost.”

Regionals took place on Feb. 10 for girls while the boys regionals were a week later on Feb. 17 where Zakka placed 2nd at East Regionals. “It’s a big accomplishment, but just making it to state is not the end goal, placing high at state is.” Zakka said.