This weekend marks Layne Hatcher's last time on a wrestling mat.
The Pulaski Academy senior will end his wrestling career at the Arkansas high school wrestling state tournament today and Saturday at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock.
At a glance
WHAT Arkansas high school wrestling state tournament
WHEN 10 a.m. today, 9 a.m. Saturday. Finals start at 3:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE Jack Stephens Center, Little Rock
TICKETS $8 per day
SCHEDULE Wrestling through championship quarterfinals will be completed today with Class 1A-5A on mats 1, 2 and 3 and Class 6A-7A on mats 4, 5 and 6. Championship semifinals start at 9 a.m. Saturday, with Class 1A-5A on mats 1 and 2 and Class 6A-7A on mats 5 and 6. Championship finals will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday with Class 1A-5A on mat 2 and Class 6A-7A on mat 5.
Ones to watch
UNDEFEATED WRESTLERS
NAME;WT.;SCHOOL;CLASS;RECORD
Jacob Adams;120;Bentonville West;Freshman;13-0
Jakob Beene;120;Maumelle;Sophomore;29-0
Jake Turner;145;Rogers;Junior;22-0
James Noel;182;Pulaski Academy;Senior;53-0
RETURNING CHAMPIONS
NAME;WT.;SCHOOL;CLASS;RECORD
Zachery Ireland;113;Bentonville West;Sophomore;37-7
Jakob Beene;120;Maumelle;Sophomore;29-0
Brendan Davis;120;Springdale Har-Ber;Junior;43-11
Chris Whisenant*;120;Greenbrier;Senior;51-3
Brad Brown;132;Searcy;Junior;46-5
Michael Crockett;132;Pulaski Academy;Senior;54-5
Stephen Fox*;132;Bentonville West;Senior;49-8
RT Noel;138;Pulaski Academy;Sophomore;49-1
Logan Sloss;145;Russellville;Senior;Senior;40-1
Dregan Smith;145;Pulaski Academy;Sophomore;52-4
Rylan Howard;152;Greenbrier;Senior;Senior;59-3
Chance McCrary;160;Rogers Heritage;Senior;33-3
Cash Jones;170;Bentonville;Senior;58-1
James Noel*;182;Pulaski Academy;Senior;53-0
Layne Hatcher;195;Pulaski Academy;Senior;59-1
Allen Amuimuia;285;Pulaski Academy;Senior;
*Competed in different weight class last year (1A-5A: Whisenant 113, J. Noel 170. 6A-7A: Fox 126)
Hatcher is the state's all-time leader in victories with 235. He's won three state championships as a wrestler (170 pounds in 2015, 182 pounds in 2016, 195 pounds in 2017).
Oklahoma State, one of the country's top wrestling programs, offered Hatcher a scholarship. However, Hatcher, a four-time state championship quarterback and three-year starter for the Bruins' football team, will play football at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
"It was hard to let go [of wrestling after high school]," Hatcher said. "But in my heart, it's what I wanted to do."
For Hatcher this week, he said it's bittersweet to be leaving wrestling, but he is looking forward to competing in his fourth and final state tournament.
"I'm trying to enjoy it, for sure," Hatcher said. "I'm ready to go to work on Friday."
This weekend, 49 schools will compete in the state tournament featuring more than 500 athletes. Six mats are in use at the Stephens Center.
Wrestling through championship quarterfinals will be completed today with Class 1A-5A on mats 1, 2 and 3 and Class 6A-7A on mats 4, 5 and 6. Championship semifinals start at 9 a.m. Saturday, with Class 1A-5A on mats 1 and 2 and Class 6A-7A on mats 5 and 6. Championship finals will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday with Class 1A-5A on mat 2 and Class 6A-7A on mat 5.
Pulaski Academy will attempt to win its first team championship. The Bruins finished second to Greenbrier the past two seasons and seniors Michael Crockett (132 pounds), James Noel (182 pounds) and Allen Amuimuia (285 pounds) are also returning state champions.
Hatcher hopes that he not only wins an individual state championship, but a team title as well.
"We're in the best shape we can be in," Hatcher said. "We've used that motivation from the past two years, for sure. We've turned it up a notch this year. We think we've got a great shot."
Tournament director Greg Hatcher, Layne's father, has been taking his son to wrestling tournaments since he was 6years old competing in the Mighty Bluebirds program. He said that when his son started wrestling, it wasn't fun for him, but as he's grown up, Greg has seen Layne enjoy the sport.
Greg Hatcher understands what's at stake for his son this weekend.
"He's got a chance to win four football state titles and four wrestling state titles," Greg Hatcher said. "We haven't done the research, but I don't think it's been done. That will be a neat thing."
Sports on 02/16/2018