Last weekend two Rattlers made their way to the podium at the grueling Texas UIL 6-A State Tournament. Senior Captain Jimmy Benne made his third appearance at the State Meet and took 4th place in the 144# weight class, while Freshman Shobana Spielmann placed 6th on her first trip to State in the 100# weight class.
Benne opened up the tournament with a tight 4-3 decision against Conroe Williams, followed by a solid 9-3 decision win over Cypress Lakes. On day 2 he dropped the Semifinal to the number 1 seed Arlington Martin by a close 3-7 decision, but went on to defeat Austin Westlake 10-4 in the Consolation Semifinal. In the 3rd place match Benne fought to the final whistle but came up short 2-4. “It feels good to finally make it to the State Podium,” Benne said. “I have put so much work into this sport and although it’s not where I wanted to be, I am still very proud of how far I have come.”
Spielmann lost her first State match, but refused to quit. She came back and won the next three Consolation Rounds with a nail biting 4-2 Decision (Conroe Grand Oaks) then two first-period pins (Katy Cinco Ranch and Flowermound) to find herself in the Consolation Semifinal. Unfortunately she dropped that match and was in the 5th place bout. Down 0-4 in the 2nd, Spielmann got an escape and a takedown to enter the 3rd down 3-4. Her opponent scored quickly to make it 3-9, but Spielmann kept fighting, earning 3 nearfall points and a stall call in the last minute. It wasn’t enough for a win, but it was a tough fought way to earn a 6th place spot on the State Podium. “This was a big learning year for me,” Spielmann said. “I am very happy with all the experience that I have gained and I am excited to see what next year holds.”
Senior Captain Sawyer Peevy (215#) went 2-2 and made it to the blood round (named because if you win you will place), but came up short. Senior Captain Ella Gransbery (132#) went 1-2, and Senior Captain Paris Rodriguez (165#) and Junior Bryce Whitethorn (120#) toughed out their matches.
Next up the Rattlers will celebrate the incredible athletes and the incredible team accomplishments this year at their end of season banquet.
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