Owen McCracken will have one last crack at earning that elusive all-state medal.
The junior at Francis Howell Central knows the work he puts in this summer is important.
“This summer will determine how the high school season goes next year,” said McCracken, a two-time state qualifier in Class 4 for the Spartans.
The junior qualified at state this past season at 144 pounds and at 138 pounds in 2023.
After cutting weight during this high school season, he is wrestling up this summer.
He recently went to the NHSCA High School Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia from April 5-7.
McCracken went 1-2 at the tournament and got a 4-0 win over Nick Sexton from Pennsylvania. He lost his two matches by four points each.
“This tournament is one of the best in the country. Being able to go and win matches there is a great feat,” Francis Howell Central coach Jacob Mattson said. “This was a great experience for them. Something he can build on is the ability to put themselves up against top-level competition….