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The quest that began years ago for Greencastle senior Jacob Wright continues to play out tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse. Wright is one of 224 wrestlers looking to fulfill their dreams of becoming a state wrestling champion.

Wright is currently 40-7 on the year and defeated the No. 13 and No. 15 ranked wrestlers in the state on his way to Conseco. In addition, he has battled the No. 9 and No. 7 ranked wrestlers, falling by a mere two points in each contest. Entering the third period in both contests, Wright was winning the match.

Wright is a three-time regional qualifier, two-time county and conference champion and has been twice selected as team captain.

The road to the state finals has been a tough one and it doesn't get any easier tonight. That championship format is a simple one -- win and you'll continue on, lose and you're packing your bags for a long ride home.

GHS head coach Matt McComish acknowledged that Wright has excelled as the tournament has worn on and hopes his 215 weight class gladiator will be standing tall on the podium when the sun falls on Saturday.

"The one and out format of the state wrestling tournament makes for some very big matches with a lot of pressure," McComish explained. "In regional, if you lose the first match, you are done and in semi-state if you lose either of your first two matches, your season is over.

"Jacob has wrestled extremely well in these do or die matches and I am expecting this (state finals) to be no different," he added.

First up for Wright will be No. 12 ranked Aris Allen of Fort Wayne North Side. Allen has an impressive record of 37-1 on the season and has captured sectional and regional honors as well as a second place finish at semi-state.

The IHSAA State Finals begin today at 6 p.m., with quarterfinal action starting at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.