Despite just two seasons of experience, Kizuki Koyasu '20 has earned the right to compete with the best high school wrestlers in the country.
Kizuki placed sixth in the 106-pound weight class at the New England Independent Schools Wrestling Association Championships Feb. 17, securing a spot at the 83rd National Prep Wrestling Tournament at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania Feb. 23-24.
"I'm really excited," Kizuki said. "All the (people) who supported me getting to nationals, I need to thank them. I can't wait for it."
Kizuki placed eighth last season at the NEISWA meet, missing the national event by two spots. His goal all season has been to qualify for the sport's high level of competition among prep school wrestlers.
At the NEISWA Championships, held at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts, he won his first match before losing to the #4 seed in his second match. However, Kizuki won his next two matches, which put him in the 5v6 match and qualified him for nationals.
"I think I did very well," said Kizuki, the fifth seed. "The first kid I lost to was very good. I didn't win but I was satisfied with that match."
Like Kizuki, Mark Anderson '20 medaled at the NEISWA match, finishing seventh in the 170 division. He missed nationals by one place.
"I think Friday and Saturday I performed well," said Mark, who was seeded fourth. "I was happy with how I wrestled and I was happy with the season, especially. I think it was a good year."
Mark lost to the fifth seed after opening the meet with a win. He won a match and lost another before winning the 7v8 match. He finished the season 26-5.
"I think it was great getting to wrestle with Anthony (Arnieri '18) and Nate (Towle '18), two seniors who are leaving," Mark said. "It was a lot of fun. Spending a year with them was cool. I was happy with how the team as a whole wrestled."
