Street Talk...for Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Rio Oxarart:

"I was towel boy at the state wrestling; it was pretty cool watching Chaka Schipman win the state championship. It was pretty cool 'cuz he's a junior and most are seniors."

Calvin Squires (also towel boy):

"It was pretty cool being down on the mats and watching the older people wrestle and it was pretty cool watching Chaka win. He beat a really good kid that he knew he could beat, he just had to concentrate on the match ."

Leslie Schipman (Chaka's mom):

"It was awesome, we're very proud of Chaka, he did a really good job and I want to thank the supporters, the ones that came and watched him. We appreciate all the community that were there throughout the year for support, too."

Tasha Hines:

"It's just a very, very neat experience; to see how many kids that have it their goal to make state and the ones that do make it, out of the huge number that fills the floor of the Metra on the opening ceremony. It's just a super cool experience-the Metra is packed full of people supporting and rooting and you see sections full of team support – it's a neat community support for these kids. You see it shrink from the opening to the finalists – it is eye-opening; you know the love and support. There's tears and hugs and everything in between...it's just neat."