TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple High School wrestling program has established a series of firsts in its five seasons of existence and the Wildcats added two more this spring as Joel Aguilar became the first Temple High School wrestler to compete in and earn a medal at the University Interscholastic League State Tournament.
Aguilar, a junior, became the first THS wrestler to qualify outright for the state meet after finishing third at the Class 6A Region IV Meet. Aguilar then became the first Wildcat to reach the state podium by winning a 4-2 decision over Round Rock’s Dayne Garcia-Stormer in the fifth-place match. Aguilar went 4-2 overall in the state meet and finished the season with a 41-8 overall record, competing in the 138-pound class. Aguilar also qualified for last year’s state meet as an alternate.
“I’m just so proud of him because he really just stepped up as a team captain and did everything we asked of him,” Deryl Clark, Temple HS wrestling head coach said. “He is such a selfless kid and he’s just a junior, so we have him for another year to go try to win a title. We took several of our other kids to the state meet too, so they could see what it was all about. We have a full returning team, so we are looking to getting back next year.”
Temple High School sophomore David Maxson also qualified for this year’s state meet as an alternate in the 106-pound class. Maxson finished in fifth place at the Class 6A Region IV Meet. Both wrestlers were recognized at the TISD school board meeting on Monday (March 6).