February 13, 2023

Nine Dripping Springs High School wrestlers will compete in the UIL 6A State Championships after placing in the top four in their respective weight classes at the Region IV-6A Championships on Saturday, Feb. 11 in San Antonio. 

The boys’ team qualified eight wrestlers for the state competition while totaling 180 points to finish in second place behind Austin Vandegrift. 

Jackson Shipley (106 pounds), Cole Sides (120), Ben Lourens (190) and Raphael Siewen (285) each took runner-up honors in their weight classes. Hagen Shipley (126), Shane Bookbinder (150) and Alec Rill (215) finished third and Taylor Van De Walle (132) took fourth. Rill and Hagen Shipley will compete at the state championships for the third straight year, and Bookbinder, Lourens and Van De Walle will advance for the second consecutive season.

For the girls, Addison Williams (126) placed third to punch her first ticket to the state competition. 

The UIL State Wrestling Championships will be held Feb. 17-18 at the Berry Center in Cypress. 

2023 STATE QUALIFIERS

Boys

Jackson Shipley, 2nd place (106 pounds)

Cole Sides, 2nd place (120 pounds)

Hagen Shipley, 3rd place (126 pounds)

Taylor Van De Walle, 4th place (132 pounds)

Shane Bookbinder, 3rd place (150 pounds)

Ben Lourens, 2nd place (190 pounds)

Alec Rill, 3rd place (215 pounds)

Raphael Siewen, 2nd place (285 pounds)

Girls

Addison Williams, 3rd place (126 pounds)