William Bussott earned a ticket to the FHSAA state tournament. [Photo courtesy of Chance Harper/Clewiston Wrestling]

CLEWISTON- For the second year in a row, the Clewiston High School Tiger varsity wresting team is sending a wrestler to the state tournament. 

William Bussott won third place in his weight class at the regional tournament, to advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association state tournament. Last year, Gumaro Martinez III earned a ticket to the state tournament after placing fourth in his weight class at regionals. 

“Big congratulations to William Busssott for earning an appearance at the FHSAA Wrestling state championships,” said Clewiston coach Joe Hernandez. “He understands the task at hand is not complete. We look forward to some hard practice and competing well at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee on March 6th. Although William Bussott is the only state qualifier, we are very proud of the entire wrestling team for all their hard work, dedication, and placing in the top 10 in our region.” 

Tiger wrestlers were at regionals thanks to a dominating performance at the district tournament on Feb. 22. Nine Tigers won medals at the tournament and the entire Tiger wrestling team advanced to the regionals.  

William Bussott and Arturo Garcia earned first place in their weight class. While Chance Harper and Thomas Rudd earned second. Rian King, Byron Taylor, Elias Garcia, and Louie Madrigal all earned a third-place medal. And Garque Allen secured a fourth-place finish. 

The team has been on a hot streak in 2025. The Tigers finished second out of five teams at the Canes Duals on Jan. 18. Before that, on Jan. 3, the Tigers performed well at the Somerset Scuffle, with Elias Garcia, Thomas Rudd, and Byron Taylor taking third place in their weight class, William Bussott earning fourth place, and Rian King and Chance Harper taking fifth.