Vandegrift Viper senior wrestler Luke Sloan provided the most memorable moment of last weekend by winning the state championship in the 138 lb weight class with a 6-1 victory in the finals, said Paul Muck, VHS head wrestling coach.

“This capped a perfect 12-0 run through the post season capturing the district, regional, and state title,” Muck said. “Luke ended the season with the most wins by anyone in the state with a 62-1 record.”  

Sloan ends his Viper wrestling career by setting a new Central Texas record of 204 career wins.  He is a four-time district champion, four-time state qualifier, three-time state medalist, two- time state finalist, and a 2020 state champion, Muck said.

VHS finished 6th in the toughest region in the state: Evan Ross (2nd place), Jason Foster (regional champion), Noah Gochberg (2nd place), and Sloan (regional champion) all advanced to the state meet by placing in the top 4 at regionals, while Rex Jacops (5th place) advanced as a state alternate.  

The state meet, which took place at the Berry Center of Northwest Houston in Cypress, Tex., was run over two days, Feb. 21 – 22.

Junior Noah Gochberg added to his state medal haul (1st place as a freshman and 2nd place as a sophomore),  by going 4-1 over the two days and placing 3rd in state at 126 lbs.  

Senior Jason Foster became a first-time state placer by going 3-2 and placing 4th in the girls 148-pound division.