Claremore’s wrestling program capped off an impressive season with a strong showing at the OSSAA State Wrestling Championships, finishing third overall as a team and placing six wrestlers on the podium. The Zebras qualified nine athletes for the state tournament and turned that opportunity into a weekend filled with memorable performances and a state championship victory.
Leading the way was Gunner Murray, who captured the 144-pound State Championship with a dominant run through the bracket. Murray’s performance highlighted the weekend for Claremore and added another championship moment to the program.
The Zebras also saw a series of strong podium finishes across multiple weight classes. Tristan Peters battled his way to a third-place finish at 120 pounds, while Dawson Back secured third place at 113 pounds. His teammate Noah Back also earned a third-place finish at 106 pounds, adding to the team’s medal count early in the tournament.
At 138 pounds, Kale Shultz continued the Zebras’ strong performance on the podium with another third-place finish, while Jackson Roach closed out the list of medalists with a fourth-place finish at 165 pounds.
Those individual results helped propel Claremore to a third-place team finish with 79 total points, placing the Zebras among the top programs in the state and ahead of the defending state champions.
Throughout the weekend, Claremore’s wrestlers demonstrated the grit, discipline, and team-first mentality that has defined the program all season. With nine state qualifiers and six podium finishers, the Zebras showed both depth and resilience on Oklahoma’s biggest wrestling stage.
The state tournament weekend served as a fitting culmination of months of preparation and dedication from athletes, coaches, and families who continue to support Claremore wrestling. Together, they made it a weekend the Zebra community will remember.
