Allen, TX - The Grays Harbor Chokers Men's team finished 3rd overall as a team with 8 All- Americans. The Chokers also had 2 All Americans in the same 125 lbs weight class- something that has not been done by any other Grays Harbor Wrestling team. 

The teams All-Americans were 2nd place finisher Sione Halo(197), 3rd place finisher Donnie Krissak(125), 4th place finisher Noah Cortez (125), 6th place finishers Ryan Cummings (174) and Saul Rocha(141), 7th place finishers Elijah Gandert (149) and Desmond Bowers (165), and 8th place finisher Karter Kares(165). "The guys came ready for battle. We've been looking awesome in the mat room and we peaked at the right time. Great finish by these men," said Assistant Coach Chris Boeger. 

Grays Harbor's finalist, Sione Halo (197), had a highly anticipated match against Liberty's Josiah Murphy. Halo was a crowd favorite during the National Tournament due to his unassuming size and savvy on the mat. After 7 minutes of wrestling, each wrestler had one escape point sending the match into sudden victory overtime. Halo went for a low single takedown that resulted in an exciting scramble between both men. Murphy was able to successfully defend the takedown and begin to circle around in attempt to secure a takedown for himself. Halo managed to get to his feet to avoid giving up any points with Murphy still on his backside. Murphy pulled Halo back down to the mat but Halo continued to wrestle and fight back to his feet. The officials called no takedown which was challenged by the opposing team. After video review, the officials confirmed a takedown by Liberty giving Murphy the win. 

Grays Harbor wrestlers Noah Cortez (125) and Donnie Krissak (125) wrestled each other for third place after battling back through the tournament. Both men dropped their quarterfinals match but came back through on the consolation side. Krissak powered back after his lone loss picking up 2 pins, a technical fall, and decision victory over his teammate. Cortez received 2 pins and an exhilarating overtime victory over Liberty after his loss in the quarters.

Saul Rocha and Ryan Cummings both finished up in 6th place. Saul had a close match in the Semi-Finals with the eventual champion from University of Florida. Rocha's final record was 3-3. Cummings came into the tournament with an injury to his ribs and still managed to get AA honors. His final record was 5-3.

Other Grays Harbor wrestlers that placed were Elijah Gandert (149) and Desmond Bowers (184) taking 7th place, and Karter Kares (165) finishing 8th. Gandert found redemption in his placing match against an opponent who had previously beaten him in the same tournament. "This kid has heart. He took that loss personally and found a way to get it back," said Assistant Coach Jim Thrall. Desmond topped his final year at Grays Harbor with another AA finish while Karter Kares  got on the podium for his first time. The two were former teammates at Green Valley High-school in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Grays Harbor had a razor thin finish in the team race with second place The Apprentice School. Grays Harbor consistently found itself in the third and second place spot until Apprentice took the lead by 6.5 points. Liberty stole the show with 229 points followed by The Apprentice School (133.5), Grays Harbor College (127), Penn State WC (106) and Ohio State WC (96). Conference foes Washington State came in 20th place with 34.5 points and Big Bend CC in 30th place with 25.5 points.