UPDATED: Dexter Wrestlers Pumped for State Finals at the Palace

For Dexter seniors Drew Barnes and Shawn Chamberlain, the end of an era is upon them.

The wrestlers and longtime friends will close out their high school careers at the Michigan High School Athletic Association's state varsity wrestling finals in Auburn Hills March 1-3.

"I'm really excited about qualifying for the finals," Barnes said. "It's even more exciting that I will be going with Shawn and Zeke."

Barnes took first place at 160 pounds on Feb. 18  at the Division 2 high school wrestling regionals at Mason High School. He recently signed to Alma College and will wrestle at the intercollegiate level beginning in the fall.

"It's exciting to end my high school career with a first place finish at the regional tournament, but my job isn't over yet," he said.

Barnes, who placed fourth at the Division 2 state finals (152 pounds) last year as a junior and is currently the No. 2-ranked Division 2 wrestler at 160 pounds, said returning to the Palace is an honor.

"It's one of the most amazing venues I've been at for wrestling," he said. "You really have to be at your peak performance because you are competing against the best in the state."

Breuninger, a sophomore, will be attending the state tournament for the first time in his career.

"It's awesome that I get to go with Drew and Shawn. We've been friends for a long time. This is the last time we'll be on the same team together," he said.

Breuninger qualified for the state finals after he took second place at 103 pounds during the regional tournament.

"We've been practicing all season for this," he said. "(Coach Greg Wagner) has been pushing us hard because at this point you have to be at your full potential."

Breuninger said he has been wrestling since the age of 4 and is looking forward to playing for a college team after high school.

"My goal is to win a Division 2 state title before graduating and wrestle for a Division 1 college team after high school," he said.

Breuninger and Barnes acknowledge that this season has been particularly tough for the athletes. Barnes suffered a bout of pneumonia prior to the regional tournament, and Breuninger has had to practice with multiple partners for most of the season.

"We have been hurting when it came to practice partners (this year) because of people who decided not to wrestle at the beginning of the season," Breuninger said.

Despite the setbacks, the athletes say they are ready for the finals.

"Wrestling is all about working hard, overcoming adversity and practicing self-discipline," Barnes said. "When I'm out there, I control the outcome. I don't have to rely on anyone else. My actions determine the match."