When the state tournament begins this weekend in Williamson County, Warren County will be well represented. Five Pioneers will be making the trip to battle for state supremacy after finishing in the top four of their respective weight classes in sectionals held at McMinn County over the weekend.

Burgess Galligan, Zerek Keel and Xavier Simmons all took home silver in sectionals, making it all the way to the championship match before falling. Jakoby Odineal and Jaylan Clayton battled through the losing bracket to earn their bids, ultimately placing fourth to move on.

"We are excited to be taking five guys and Marley (Harris) to state," said coach Josh Harris, noting the school will also be represented by star female wrestler Marley Harris (covered in Sunday's Standard). "We have battled against the best in the state all year long. This is just another opportunity to get to compete and see if we can bring home hardware."

While it can sometime satisfying to punch a ticket to state, don't expect and of the WCHS wrestlers to just be happy to be there. Every wrestler in it to win it and coach Harris believes experience could be on the side of some of his veteran wrestlers.

"We are fortunate that a few of the athletes are not newcomers to the state tournament and won't be in awe of the magnitude it brings," said Harris. "For all of them, it will be able taking it one match at a time and making sure they are mentally prepared. It's about going out and performing when they are called to do so."

Keel, a state medalist last year, will be making his fourth trip to the state tournament and will looking to cap on of the most impressive career of any Pioneer wrestler ever with a state title. Odineal and Harris will be making back-to-back trips to the state, while Simmons, Clayton and Galligan will be making their debuts this weekend.

Matches will begin at the Williamson County Ag Expo Arena Friday at 9 a.m. The championship semifinals are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., where all the Pioneers all hope to still be in action.

Saturday's matches will start at 9 a.m. and champions will begin to be crowned by 5 p.m.

See Friday's Standard for more details on the pending matchups for the six WCHS wrestlers at the state tournament.