These six Hartselle wrestlers have qualified to compete in the Class 5A State Wrestling Tournament at the VBC in Huntsville Friday and Saturday. (L to R) Matt Watson (132), Clint Bender (195), Logan Smith, (113), Michael Prince, (145), Oliver Duncan (220) and Ryan Nowka (152). | Clif Knight

Hartselle High School’s wrestling team will be well represented at the 2013 Class 5A State Wrestling Tournament in Huntsville this weekend as a result of its success in the North Sectional Tournament in Arab Feb. 8-9.

The team as a whole finished fifth out of 11 teams in the competition.

Six team members qualified for the opportunity to compete for state honors in the state tournament at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville Friday and Saturday.

Senior Clint Bender qualified as first place winner in the 195-lb. class; Sophomore Michael Prince as second place finisher in the 145-lb. weight class; eighth grader Logan Smith as third place winner in the 113-lb. weight class; senior Matt Watson as fourth place winner in the 132-lb. class; senior Ryan Nowka, fourth place winner in the 152-lb. weight class; and senior Oliver Duncan, fourth place in the 220-lb. weight class.

Other team members who competed at sectional were: Wesley Duncan (120-lbs.), David Dunford (126 lbs.), Chance Walker (126 lbs.), Alex Crow (170 lbs.), Ashton Quattlebaum (182 lbs.) and Jordan Wilson (285 lbs.).

“Congratulations are due these young men for their accomplishments this past weekend,” said head coach John Mark Waynick. “They represented their school and community well and are very deserving of our support and best wishes as they move forward in the competition.”

“It’s remarkable how far they’ve come, from qualifying just one for state last year to six this year,” added assistant coach Matt Watson. “Their dedication and hard work has certainly paid off and they’ve taken a big step in bringing back championship quality wrestling to Hartselle High School.”

“Coaching has made a big difference in where we are now and where we were a year ago,” said Bender. “We’re wrestling with greater intensity and confidence.

“”I feel like we have the ability to go far at state, Duncan added.