GLOBE — Globe High School Tiger Wrestlers Seth Durbin, Cutter Burgett and Riley Cline participated in the 2017-2018 AIA State Wrestling Championships held in Prescott Valley on February 9th and 10th.  

Seth managed to earn a respectable 6th place after going against tough wrestler's earlier in the tournament.  He ended the tournament with a record of 3 wins and 3 losses.  

Cutter Burgett's bracket was filled with well known powerhouse wrestlers from around the state. He managed to wrestle into the semifinals but was eliminated after his second loss.

Riley Cline entered the tournament seeded 5th with a record of 67-3.  Riley was well focused and out-wrestled his 1st and 2nd opponents winning by falls.  He vanquished his 3rd opponent by major decision with a score of 15-6.  Riley's outstanding performance earned him a spot in his final high school match of the evening, the 1st place championship round against 2nd seeded Morenci High School’s Jacob Viera who also had a tournament record of 3-0.  Riley had met Viera on two previous occasions, once at the season opener and the second time at sectionals, losing twice to Viera.  Riley was not concerned or phased by his previous losses to Viera and knowingly prepared himself mentally to become a state champion at all costs.   

Riley's championship match was scoreless through the 1st and 2nd periods and into the 3rd period. Then Riley scored a 2 point take down and 3 points for a near fall. Viera nearly having a reversal, Riley countered the near reversal and won the championship match by fall.  

Riley ended the state tournament undefeated and a well deserved 2017-2018 182 pound State Wrestling Championship.  Riley wrestled smart and with the keen sense and skill to fulfill his dream and goal of becoming a state wrestling champion for Globe High School.  

His hard work throughout the season surely paid off.