Surrounded by spectators, media, and other competing wrestlers, the Bowie wrestling squad concluded their 2021-22 season in fashion, solidifying their status as one of the best highschool programs in the state of Texas.

Taking place in the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas, on February 18 and 19, the Bowie wrestling team finished the tournament tied with Cedar Park Vista Ridge as the 12 ranked team with 30 team points. 

Additionally, junior Olivia Moreno continues to add to her decorative highschool career with her second state title, dominating the 119 weight class in back to back years. Now, ranked as ninth in the entire nation for girls wrestling, Moreno has established her position as one of the best in the country going into her senior season. 

Similarly, senior Joshua Moreno also experienced individual success in his last wrestling tournament of his highschool career. A team captain, Joshua led by example, finishing 5 overall in the 145 weight class. Joshua improved his position from a 6 place finish in the 2021 State tournament. 

“Going into my final high school tournament, I knew that I exceeded all my limits in training,” Joshua said. “I knew that I was the best kid in the tournament and I walked out onto the mat and put my best together. It didn’t really hit me that it was my final tournament until after it had concluded. I started bawling uncontrollably, because subconsciously I knew this was the last time I would compete in high school and it was saddening. All the time I’ve spent my life training for that tournament, and in the blink of an eye, it was over, hit hard.”

Joshua completed his high school career at the highest stage. A top ten finisher in the state competition in back to back years, Joshua describes the heightened environment of the state tournament. 

“The environment at the state tournament is unmatched,” Joshua said. “Everyone there made it this far because they worked hard, thus making the intensity levels very high. But in contrast to the intensity levels, the environment is fun, because it’s the last tournament, and you put in all your hardest work to get to that point so you are relaxed enough to trust yourself and have fun. Furthermore, the emotions in the tournament are high: whether it’s a seniors last match, or a freshman who dreamt of wrestling there, on top of that with the parents cheering and booing, it’s unmatched.”