The Tonganoxie senior became the first wrestler in school history to qualify for a state championship.

Starcher defeated Clay Center’s Nate Boyer, 7-1, in the 171-pound semifinals and earned a berth in Saturday’s Class 4A finals against Santa Fe Trail’s Justin Wiscombe. Starcher is 38-4 on the season — and three of those four losses were to Wiscombe.

But on Friday, Starcher didn’t care who he had to face next.

“I’m on top of the world,” Starcher said.

In fact, the road to the finals worked out the way Starcher had envisioned.

“My mindset was I wanted a rematch with Wiscombe in the finals,” Starcher said.

Starcher’s coach, Jeremy Goebel, is ready to instruct his first state title contender at THS. Goebel will be wearing the same black suit he wore when he helped coach Wellington’s Josh Clark to a state title.

When Goebel realized Starcher would be competing in the finals, words couldn’t express how excited he was.

“I’m about to cry,” Goebel said after the Starcher’s victory.

Finals will begin Saturday evening.

For updates from state, including performances by Hunter Samuels and Garrett Palmer in the consolation bracket, check back to The Mirror Web site. For extended coverage of the state wrestling tournament, see the March 2 edition of The Mirror.