More than a decade ago, the Hazelwood West boys wrestling team could always count on sending at least one athlete to the state tournament. In recent years, participation in boys’ wrestling has steadily declined; more and more wrestlers have trickled out of the wrestling room and hung up their singlets for good, leaving any hope for a state placer to disappear with them.

Senior Tyson Forbes delivered a record-breaking season that not only returned the Wildcat wrestlers to the state championships but also rewrote the record books one match at a time. His senior season ended with a record of 46-12, easily shattering the 2014 single-season wins record and crowning him the new record holder.

“The grueling off-season summer practices, the two-a-day practices and garage lifts finally paid off,” Forbes said.

Forbes clawed his way through the state tournament with the odds heavily against him. Having two major upsets at the state meet, Forbes turned his 12th-place seed into a fifth-place medal and podium standing victory. Leading him to be the first male wrestler in over 12 years to place at the state meet.

“I felt excited seeing the crowd watching my matches while I wrestled the best guys in the state,” Forbes said.

Not only did this senior medal at state, but he also placed on the 100th anniversary of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, creating a historical moment that no other wrestler will be able to duplicate.

“ I felt very proud of myself when I finally received my medal, and it was an honor to get a medal during a time nobody else will be able to do so,” Forbes said.

Alongside placing at the state and breaking a school record. Senior captain Forbes became one of the only four men at West to obtain 100 career wins.

“Being surprised with a big sign by my girlfriend after winning my 100th win felt very rewarding since it took me four years to achieve it,” Forbes said.

Forbes’ achievement not only brought the Wildcats back to the spotlight, but he left his mark on the mat so prominently that future wrestlers will strive to match it.