Mark Kirk
Led by 3X state champions Gage Walker (Bixby), Canon Acklin (Collinsville), and Brady Benham (Sperry), there are 19 seniors looking to become 4X state placers at this year’s State Tournament. In reviewing the 19 wrestlers, it is interesting that many of them have wrestled each other which had an obvious impact on the number of individual titles won.
While being a state champion is the ultimate goal of every wrestler, earning four State Tournament medals in a state that produces such outstanding wrestlers is a noteworthy achievement that should be recognized.
Of the 19 wrestlers, 11 are in Class 6A, with 5A and 4A having two each and four in 3A going for their 4th medal. Edmond North leads the way, with four wrestlers on the list, followed by Bixby with three and Stillwater with two.
There have been 45 4X state champions as Walker, Acklin and Benham look to join this illustrious group. If they win their 4th titles, Acklin will be Collinsville’s 5th 4X champion (joining Gary Wayne Harding, Will Steltzlen, Caleb Tanner and Cameron Steed), Walker, who won his first two titles at Jay, will be Bixby’s second 4X champion (joining Shane Roller), while Benham will be Sperry’s first 4X state champion…
