Three Panorama Panthers wrestlers are heading to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines today and for all of them it will be their first time heading to the state tournament.

The Panthers qualified three wrestlers for the tournament in sophomore Tage Monahan at 113 pounds, senior James Hein at 195 pounds and senior Cooper Andersen at 22o pounds. Raccoon Valley Radio interviewed all three wrestlers ahead of the state tournament and here is what they had to say.

Sophomore Tage Monahan qualified for the state tournament for the first time this year in the 113 pound class. Monahan says it means a lot to make it to the state tournament in Des Moines this week.

“It just means a lot. I’ve been wrestling my whole life, it’s just something I have always looked up to and wanted to be there and I just made it a reality now.”

Panorama senior Cooper Andersen qualified for the state tournament for the first time this year in the 220 pound class. Andersen says after three years of wrestling it feels good to make the state tournament.

“It means a lot. The first three years I was a match away just always coming up short and remembering the feeling of being short and this year we finally got it done and it feels great.”

Another senior in James Hein qualified for the state tournament for the first time in the 195 pound class. Hein says it’s also a good feeling to make it to the tournament in Des Moines.

“It means a lot. I have been going to the tournament and watching for a quite a while. Glad to have the opportunity to finally wrestle at it.”

Raccoon Valley Radio will begin live coverage of the Class 1A 1st Round and 1st Round Consolations beginning at 5:30 p.m. today and the Class 1A tournament will officially begin at 6 p.m. from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.