Wrestling Ready for AIA Sectional Meet This Weekend

2/8/2024

The Brophy wrestling program enters the AIA Sectional tournament (Feb. 10) with high expectations after a strong regular season.

“The main goal is to get everyone to the state tournament with a top-four finish,” said Head Coach Wayne Catan. “When you get to the state tournament, anything can happen.”

Sectionals will be hosted at Pinnacle High School on Saturday, Feb. 10. Tickets are $12 for adults.

The Broncos have posted a strong regular season, recording 19 dual-team wins. Sophomore Adam Angulo has led the team while recording a 35-4 overall record at 144 pounds.

“I have high expectations to have 3-4 people in the finals and everyone should place,” said Angulo. “We have worked hard this season and our hard work is going to show off this weekend.”

He won the Central Arizona Classic, was the runner-up at the Husky Invitational, and placed fourth at the Flowing Wells Invitational among his invitational results.

“Adam has beat some tough competition,” said Catan. “He is in the perfect position to get a No. 2 seed in the state. His bracket will include the No. 1 seed who is ranked No. 2 in the nation from Tucson Sunnyside. He has to wrestle well but he has been doing great.”

Brophy has several top performers on the season including sophomore heavyweight Josh Finch-Logan (24-7), junior Jackson Sweetman (29-5) at 190 pounds, and sophomore Blake Sweetman (32-7) at 215. Senior Micah Blackburn has 20 wins at 138 pounds, looking to finish his senior campaign strong.

“This is one of my favorite teams in terms of its culture and how they have bonded together,” said Catan. “We have had some injuries and we have wrestled without Ty Trickle, who has been injured all season. He could be a top 10 wrestler in the country and will continue next year in college.”

“The strength of our team is that we have solid technique,” said Catan. “Our ultimate goal is to wrestle 100 percent and if all members of the team do so, I am happy. Every wrestler is an artist, wrestling with their style. There is no one size fits all.”

Four returning wrestlers advanced to the 2023 State tournament including Adam Angulo at 132, while Sean Kennedy (126), Woody Bayless (144), and Jackson Sweetman (175) advanced with fourth-place finishes.

Angulo will lean on that experience this week.

“It has helped me a lot,” said Angulo of his state tournament experience. “It helped me plan the year and know what I have to do to get the best opportunity I can at the state tournament.”

Brophy Sectional Lineup: 106-Beau Wallace; 113- Jacob Mathew; 120-Empty; 126-Sean Kennedy; 132-Anibal Deciga; 138-Micah Blackburn; 144-Adam Angulo; 150 -Woody Bayless; 157- Tanner Dryer; 165-Axel Lauer; 175-Rowdy Benear; 190-Jackson Sweetman; 215-Blake Sweetman; HWT- Josh Finch-Logan.