Sunnyside senior Kory DeBerry faced his final high school wrestling match Friday night with a chance to become a rare four-time individual state champ. DeBerry won his first three titles competing in 5A-II at 135, 140 and 145. His opponent from Mesa High in the finale, Edgar Verdi, was a state champ last year at 152 in 5A-I. With the change in conference designation both rested in Division I this year. Something had to give. It wasn\'t DeBerry.

Vi Teofilo never thought he would be good enough to play at a large university, but hard work paid off.

A two-time state champ, 114-pound Ryder Nielsen is as tough as they come, overcoming injuries to achieve success.

A final wrestling invitational tune-up turned out quite well Saturday for Dobson High. Polishing off all seven of its foes in pool play the Mustangs matched up with city rival Red Mountain in the team final and came away a 49-21 winner at the Nate Johnson Memorial Wrestling Tournament at Red Mountain High School.

Mesa High has played a significant part in state athletics with its long history and tradition. Football, basketball and wrestling have been highly successful sports to name a few. A sport to be honored Tuesday night is one the school helped play a role in inaugurating in the state three decades ago -- boys soccer.

It is another showcase event only with one difference in all the matchups -- they count for more than pride or in terms of rivalry.

Phoenix Thunderbird finishes third; Tucson Sunnyside has three individual winners.

Nick Rana is the last of four brothers to excel in athletics at the school since 1998.

About three dozen athletes, coaches to be honored in ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 8.