The Grand Junction Tigers wrestling team is sending 8 students to the CHSAA state wrestling championship Feb. 22-24 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

The 8 students who are going to finals are Hunter Skalecki, Junious Gooden, Dawson Collins, Christian Hafey, Caid Lopez, Kieran Thompson, and Andrew Leyba.

“I don’t want to let down the team,” Christian Hafey, junior, said.

Hafey will compete in the 160 pound weight class.

According to sophomore wrestler Kieran Thompson he is excited to have an opportunity to go to state again. Thompson also competed at state last year and will compete in the 115 pound weight class.

The championship includes a semi final round and then a final round, so athletes will have to win two matches to go to the finals.

The athletes said they get nervous, but they will not let that stop them.

Freshmen Andrew Leyba said wrestling tests him physically. Leyba will compete in the 106 pound weight class.