The Holden boys wrestling team earned their best state finish in the program’s 20-year existence. The team finished 7th and took home three state medals including a state title.
Holden senior, Daylen Greene, capped one of the best careers in Holden wrestling history by claiming a state title in the 120lb weight bracket.
Greene (43-2) became the first Holden grappler to earn four state medals and finished with a bang.
Greene clinched his title with an exciting 4-3 decision win over Lathrop’s Garrett Beane. Beane held a 3-2 lead after a third-period escape. Greene saved the best of his school record 355 takedowns for last. After a late scramble, Greene was awarded a two-point takedown with 13 seconds left in the match to give him the lead and the state title.
Greene becomes the third state champion in school history, joining Max Mickey in 2013 and Jacob Reiman in 2011.
Junior Aiden Christian (41-8) earned his first state medal with a 3rd place triumph in the 285lb weight class.
Christian dropped his first-round match to Jarrett Elvins of South Harrison by decision. After that loss, Christian would reel off five straight wins including a 5-2 decision over district foe, William Brown of Adrian, in the blood round.
Christian sealed his 3rd place medal with a fall over Kyler Kuhn of St. Pius X.
Making his first state appearance, Junior Trent Stout (37-11) took sixth place in the 157-pound bracket.
Stout dropped his quarterfinals match to Rex Bryson of Centralia to send him to the consolation side of the bracket. Stout stormed back with wins over Ethan Smith of South Harrison and Benjamin Breeding of Sherwood in the blood round to guarantee a medal.
Stout lost his last two matches of the tournament, losing to Warsaw junior Drake Murrell by an 8-2 decision in the consolation semis before falling to sophomore Trae Griffiths of Missouri Military Academy in the 5th place match.
The Holden boys also had state appearances from seniors CJ Reifsteck and Andrew Johnston.
Reifsteck earned a pair of wins in wrestlebacks before bowing out of the tournament to Warsaw’s Josh Harvath by 7-1 decision in the bubble round.
Johnston lost both of his state matches in the 215lb bracket, with his season ending with a loss to Derron Perkins of St. Mary’s.
Holden finished 7th out of 52 teams in Class 1 with 61 points.
Notes:
* The boys added their 31st, 32nd, and 33rd state medals in program history in 2024.
* Holden’s highest state team finish was previously 12th in 2013.
* Holden qualified their most wrestlers for the state tournament since the 2019 season.
* Senior Daylen Greene finishes his career as the most decorated wrestler in Holden history. Greene is the ONLY four-time state medalist in program history. Greene also holds school records in wins and takedowns.
