Senior wrestler Martise Weaver left the State wrestling tournament empty-handed after a hard-fought battle in the 189-pound weight class.

On the first day of the competition, the wrestler competed at the Palace of Auburn Hills against the runner-up wrestler in the state, Tristan Gregory of Gaylord. Weaver lost by a pin late in the tough six-minute match.

Weaver’s second opponent was Brad Wilton, of Mason High School, who finished sixth in the tournament. Weaver lost by a 7-2 decision, knocking the Southfield wrestler out of the tournament.

Administrator Vernon Burden, who went along with the wrestler for support, said that the wrestler put up a good fight. “If he would have competed more throughout this year, I do believe it would have been a different turn out than what happened,” Burden said.

Weaver was a late addition to this year’s team. He spent the first half of the school year concentrating on grades and joined the wrestling team well into the season.

Weaver said he was hoping to catch his opponents with his favorite takedown, which is the “double leg.”

This was Weaver’s first experience at states, and he was very humble, saying, “It’s a memory I could never forget. After a loss, I always feel that I can do better, but I was just excited to be a part of it.”

Weaver said competing at the state level was a dream. “Once you’re there, you feel that you are on top of the world, but (you have to) remember you are there to get a job done. Otherwise, a lot of time will be wasted being star struck.”