Junior Mason Murphy will compete at the wrestling district tournament in the 170 weight class beginning tonight at Francis Howell.

Mason is motivated when wrestling by a few things.

“My friends and family motivate me the most,” he said. “When I’m losing or getting pinned, I look up to them in the stands and see them and think to myself, ‘You can’t let them down, you have to keep going.’”

Murphy jumped from wrestling JV last year to the varsity level.

“Varsity is a lot harder. Last year my record was like 15-4 and this year it’s 22-15,” he said. “The thing about varsity is that the seniors are going to be gone next year and it makes me sad really, I’ve been wrestling with these guys my whole high school wrestling career.”

He’ll get the chance to continue the season with seniors Brock Beins (195) and Omar Daoud (HWT) if they can advance from the district tournament. The first four place finishers in each weight class will advance to the State Tournament.

“I’m very nervous about tonight, but I’ve been doing good in tournaments this year so hopefully I should move onto State after tonight.”