EP wrestler Zytavius Williams named Star Tribune ‘Athlete of the Week’

It’s been a good week for Eden Prairie sophomore wrestler Zytavius Williams and the Eagles wrestling team.

With his 4-2 decision over third-ranked AJ Smith (33-7) of Shakopee in the 120-pound class at the Section 6AAA wrestling tournament last Saturday, Williams (31-9), ranked ninth in the state, earned a trip to the state wrestling tournament at Xcel Energy Center this weekend.

Williams joins eight of his Eden Prairie teammates in the individual competition at the state tournament. And for his accomplishments, Williams was named one of the Star Tribune’s Prep Athletes of the Week.

Eagles head coach Marcus LeVesseur told the Star Tribune’s Ron Haggstrom that Williams’ work ethic is consistently “top notch.”

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“Zy is always looking for the next-level challenge or tough obstacle to overcome,” LeVesseur said. 

Joining Williams in the individual competition at the state meet:

• Seventh-grader Anthony Heim (35-7) at 106 pounds
• Senior Jafari Vanier (22-13) at 138 pounds
• Junior Terae Dunn (32-4) at 145 pounds
• Senior London Bui (16-23) at 152 pounds
• Senior Jacory Bates (21-3) at 160 pounds
• Junior Julian Berg (22-15) at 195 pounds
• Junior Dominic Heim (25-4) at 220 pounds
• Junior Will Sather (39-1) at 285 pounds

Sather, ranked second in the state, will be defending his title from last March when he became the first sophomore wrestler in MSHSL history to win a state championship in the 285-pound class.

The state wrestling tournament begins Thursday and continues through Saturday at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Team competition takes place on Thursday, with individual brackets starting on Friday. For more information on the event, visit the MSHSL website.