For the first time in almost a decade, a Paly wrestler has qualified for Nationals. Senior wrester John Hall is ranked second in California, easily making the cutoff of the top eight invited to the 2007 High School Wrestling National Tournament from each state.

The 189 lb. senior lost in the California state championships to number-one ranked junior Rudy Bruschi from Oakdale High School. Hall took the silver medal.

“I made a mistake part-way through the match, and it was hard to get back those points I had lost,” Hall said.

Hall went into the state championships confident that he would place in the top eight, but exceeded his hopes by reaching the final two.

The 2007 National tournament will take place on March 29 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Though Hall does not know whom he will face, as the draws are random, he says he feels confident.

“I’ll be going in as an underdog, but I will be continuing my training and I’ll be ready to win,” Hall said.

Hall qualified for the tournament in his junior year with a state ranking of eight, but decided to wait until his senior year to compete in the tournament.

The last Paly wrestler to qualify for Nationals was Robert Thomas in 1998.