SYRACUSE – Wawasee turned a corner this year, putting together one of its finest seasons in a decade. The effort was noticed by the state, which the IWCA invited the program to compete in the 2018 Team State tournament.

Wawasee has experienced a renaissance, of sorts, in recent seasons. Under coach Frank Baumgardner, the Warriors went from hardly having a roster in 2014-15 to a recharged and rejuvenated program over the past two years. The Warriors won 21 matches as a team in 2016-17 and posted a winning record in the Northern Lakes Conference. Wawasee really took off when the postseason came around as it grabbed third at the sectional, advancing 10 to the regional. Four wrestlers then advanced to semi-state where Braxton Alexander would go on to represent the Warriors at the state finals in Indianapolis.

Wawasee has been rewarded for its accomplishments by getting an invite to next year’s Team State. Wawasee will be joined in class 2-A by Yorkstown, North Montgomery, Edgewood, Bellmont, Indian Creek, Garrett, New Prairie, New Haven, Franklin County, Lawrenceburg and Jimtown.

Highlighting the 3-A class will be area programs Penn and Carroll while the rest will hail from further out, including 2017 state champion Brownsburg. In class 1-A, where Triton has competed the past two years, local teams include Prairie Heights and Central Noble.