Wrestling Qualifies Six for State Championships, Wins Four Sectional Titles
The Brophy wrestling team qualified six wrestlers for the AIA State Championships this week at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.
“It is important to win the section because you get seeded in the state meet,” said Head Coach Wayne Catan. “Now we have to wrestle hard.”
The Brophy qualifiers included sectional champions sophomore Adam Angulo at 144, junior Jackson Sweetman at 190, sophomore Blake Sweetman at 215, and sophomore Josh Finch-Logan, while senior Sean Kennedy (126) and Rowdy Benear (175) advanced with fourth-place finishes.
Benear, Blake Sweetman, and Finch-Logan will be making the first state tournaments.
“Rowdy has great mat IQ and does not get shaken during the match,” said Catan. “He stays the course and he is going to states. I am happy for him.”
Angulo, Jackson Sweetman, and Kennedy advanced to the state tournament for the second consecutive year.
Brophy College Preparatory celebrated its 76th commencement on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. in Robson Gymnasium. This graduation was significant for the Class of 2024, who began their high school journey remotely due to the pandemic.
The Class of 2024 demonstrated resilience and connection despite the challenges of starting their education online. Their unity and adaptability were evident throughout their time at Brophy, embodying their class theme: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Valedictorian Doer Leo He delivered a memorable speech, drawing parallels to the movie "Finding Nemo" and encouraging his classmates to persevere with the phrase, "Just keep swimming." President Bob Ryan and Principal Jim Bopp also spoke, highlighting the graduates' resilience and urging them to be agents of positive change.
The ceremony concluded with a strong sense of pride and accomplishment, celebrating the Class of 2024's journey from remote learning to a united and triumphant graduation.