Fatima entered the season with one goal, to bring home a top-four banner at the conclusion of the state meet, and the five individual Comets who competed last Wednesday did just that, earning fourth place overall in Class 1.

“They were not looking just for individual glory,” said Coach Kurt Strope. “They were looking to bring home some team glory in the form of a state trophy. It took a lot of hard work from everyone involved and I was very proud of how we competed on Wednesday. The boys deserve the success as a team they earned it, and for this group of seniors to be the ones to finally get it done was something special."

Four of the five grapplers earned All-State as senior Lucas Laux at 126 earned his second straight individual state championship. He entered the day without much fear, having been here to state times.

“I knew the competition would be tough,” Laux said. “I had a lot of confidence going in because I wasn’t the underdog. Jason (Strope) and I had practiced together every day and I was ready.”

Laux pinned and teched his way to the finals where he beat Sam Wilhelm of Knob Noster 3-2 in the championship match. He is the first wrestler in Fatima history to win two state titles. 

"It was very special to see Lucas accomplish this feat, especially with all of the things that happened this year,” said Coach Strope. “He really embodied perseverance this year and it will be something that will stick with me, along with how Lucas approached matches and just got after everyone, no matter the skill level. Few get to accomplish this once and Lucas was able to get it done twice." 

Laux said he knew he was on solid footing after his first two matches, and though the team was not in the best shape in the semifinals, he believed a top-four finish was still possible.

His tech win upped the points for the Comets and helped lead them to the banner.

“When we were sophomores, we were just happy with a top-10 finish,” said Laux. “Making school history is huge. We just wanted to join the other teams here with a banner on the wall.”

Also earning an individual championship was senior Jason Strope at 120, who battled through several tough matches before defeating Ryan Baker of Buttler 3-2 in the championship match. He is the third person in Fatima wrestling history to earn a state title and became the third person in the wrestling program to win 150 career matches. 

"It was very special to see what Jason overcame in this tournament to win a title,” said Coach Strope. “It's going to stick with me for a while because for him to do what he did he had to embody the idea 'if you want to win it all you have to beat them all.’”

Jason Strope finished second last year and didn’t want a repeat performance. “I was confident I could win,” he said. “I didn’t want to go to state and not finish the job this year. It didn’t feel very good finishing second last year.”

Experience was a big benefit as Strope was fourth his sophomore year and qualified his freshman year but did not place.

“I knew what to expect and that made a big difference,” said Strope, adding that he gained a lot of help by wrestling against his brothers, Aaron, Ryan, Cory, Cody, and Kurt, along with Laux. “I hope I made my family proud.”

Being a part of the first top-four team in school history is also very special. “It feels amazing to know we’ll have a banner instead of a blank spot on the wall,” Jason Strope said. “It was tough but everyone contributed.”

Freshman Cody Strope (106) earned second place, winning resoundingly in his first two matches before losing in the championships to Lucas Barry of St. Michael Archangel 4-1. 

He capped off his freshman campaign with some incredible success and with the most wins as a freshman in program history with 42. “I was very proud of how Cody performed at the state tournament,” said Coach Strope. “It was very special to watch him compete. Cody was the first wrestler for us to compete in each round and he got us going in the right direction, getting the seniors that followed him pumped up and ready to perform the best they could. I know he wanted a state title but it will be fun to watch him put in the time and chase after it next year, and in the years to come." 

“I went into the state tournament and did the best I could,” Cody Strope said. “I didn’t worry about winning and losing. There were no nerves. It was fun.”

Ranked first in his weight class, Strope said he wasn’t concerned. “They should have been worried about me,” he added.

Strope said he hopes this is the start of a personal tradition as he carries on the family penchant for excellent wrestling.

As for the team trophy, Strope said he is “very excited about bringing it home.”

Senior Blake Wiles at 152 earned sixth place after losing in the quarterfinals and then coming back and picking up two wins before he fell in the fifth-place match by fall to Norman Sizemore of Lawson. 

“I feel I could have done better but there was some really good competition,” said Wiles, who broke his back in his freshman year and returned to earn sixth place as a sophomore and fourth as a junior. “I didn’t like losing but I’m glad we were able to pull out a top-four finish as a team.”

Wiles joined a small group of Comets as a three-time All-stater. "It was special that Blake was able to do what he did,” said Coach Strope. “We needed him a lot to score the team points and place at state to help the team place fourth." 

Rounding out the squad is senior Alex Even (132), who fell one match short of placing at state. He lost his first match in the quarterfinals and then lost by fall in the wrestleback semifinals against Colton Parn of Brookfield. 

"Alex is an incredible competitor and was capable of beating many of the kids that placed in the tournament,” said Coach Strope. “ It hurt me not seeing him place on Wednesday. It just wasn't in the cards, but he scored some crucial team points though for us to help us place fourth.”

Even was recovering from illness in the days leading up to the state tournament but gave it his best shot. “I was nervous going into it and I didn’t do as well as I think I should have,” Even said. “It’s nice to know we brought home a banner. We had hoped as freshmen to be able to do it, and it’s great to pull it out.”

Overall, Coach Strope said he is extremely happy with how this team performed all year.

“We competed with some of the best, stood our ground, and many times we won,” he said. “The triumphs of this year will be remembered for many years to come. I hope that what we did this past year encourages others to join wrestling, compete, and work hard along with the others that are already in the program, because we can continue to have this kind of success.”