Selection is an honor for Carl Albert's Cato

SAND SPRINGS— Jayston Cato needed some encouragement f rom his parents when it came to the All-State dual.

“They really wanted me to participate,” Cato said. “My coach had already put my name in for the voting. I didn't find out about that until way later.”

Carl Albert wrestling coach Curt Hodges called Cato a bright spot for the Titans. A program that doesn't have a lot of recent success had one of the state's top talents at a lower weight. With Cato's contributions to the program during his time, Hodges and others wanted to see Cato recognized at the state's highest level.

Cato was a state finalist twice and finished runnerup during the 2019 Class 5A state wrestling tournament.

At 120 pounds, he battled to nearly 40 wins his senior season. Cato was a leader not only for his team but a beacon that Carl Albert wrestling was nothing to mess with when he took the mat.

“He' s well known ,” Hodges said .“A lot of the coaches know he's a good wrestler. They're impressed by him. He's a tough, physical wrestler.”

Ca to represented the Large West team at 120 pounds during t he Oklahoma Coaches Association's All- State wrestling dual Wednesday at Sand Springs High School.

While the All-State duals will be the final competitive wrestling matches for some, that's not Cato's case. He's got at least four more years on a wrestling mat.

Ca to signed with Central Oklahoma, where he'll wrestle f or the Bronc ho sat 125 pounds starting in the fall. Regarded as one of the top Division II wrestling programs in the country, Cato said UCO stood out because of its proximity to home and the prestigious program.

“We have the best freshman class in the country that' s coming up, so that's exciting,” Cato said.

With one more opportunity to represent Carl Albert at the high school level, Ca to said he was thrilled to be able to wrestle in the All- State dual. For Hodges, who said he's not sure the next time a wrestler with the capabilities of Cato will come around Carl Albert, Wednesday's match was one final time to enjoy a moment with his star.

He's happy it's came on one of the state's biggest stages.

“He's on a higher level than some kids,” Hodges said. “With the stuff the college coaches are going to bring to him, He's going to do really well at the next level.”