And oftentimes, those that are mentally strong will thrive. Those that aren’t, well, won’t.

That’s the situation facing South Hamilton fourth-ranked 195-pounder Trevor Thompson as he gears up for his final Class 1A sectional wrestling tournament, set for his home gymnasium Saturday at noon.

Thompson (26-3), a senior and 2020 state qualifier, has dealt with numerous ailments in recent weeks and has been in and out of the Hawks’ lineup. But even at less than 100 percent, he’ll throw on his singlet and snap on his headgear for the chance to advance one step closer to the state tournament.

“It’s a tough situation for Trevor,” South Hamilton head coach Dan Brodie said. “He’s not feeling 100 percent, but it’s what he’s got to deal with. He’s got to be mentally and emotionally tough, those are two huge components. He’s going to be limited what he can do physically, but he can’t let that get to him mentally.”

South Hamilton 113-pounder Keyton Remsburg (back) owns a 20-11 record entering Saturday’s Class 1A sectional tournament. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

South Hamilton will be joined at the sectional by AGWSR, Belmond-Klemme, Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler-Clarksville, Rockford, Tripoli and West Fork. The first- and second-place individuals at each of the 14 weights will advance to next weekend’s district tournament in Clarksville.

Ten ranked individuals are expected to compete on Saturday, but only one of the brackets will feature more than one. Which bracket? It’s 195, of course. Thompson will be challenged by ninth-ranked Blake Brocka of Tripoli.

Lane Swenson (35-1), the Hawks’ second-ranked 170-pound senior, will be one of the bigger favorites as he attempts to match or exceed last season’s seventh-place state medal. Swenson has stormed through the season with relative ease, but Brodie says his team leader isn’t about to let his foot off the gas now.

“Lane is confident and looking at his path, he knows what he has to do,” Brodie said. “It’s the same as Trevor … he has to be mentally and emotionally tough, and he has to wrestle smart. We’re in the business of wins, not pretty wins. So he just needs to go out and get it done.”

Brent Greenfield (33-6 at 182), Colton Willis (26-9 at 220) and Keyton Remsburg (20-11 at 113) should all be in contention for district berths as well. Remsburg faces the toughest path of the three, as second-ranked Garret Rinken of Nashua-Plainfield — a 2020 state bronze medalist — will highlight the 113-pound bracket.

“It’s not going to be a cake walk,” Brodie said. “Brent is going to have to approach it one match at a time and in these last few tournaments I’ve really seen the focus from him. Keyton has grown steadily throughout the year and if he can put together a good tournament, he can get into districts. And Colton has got to focus and not let anything get in the way of what the goal is.

“You have to go out and compete well and I think the guys like the challenge.”

What: Class 1A Sectional 8.

Where: South Hamilton High School, Jewell.

When: Saturday, noon.

Teams: AGWSR, Belmond-Klemme, Nashua-Plainfield, North Butler-Clarksville, Rockford, South Hamilton, Tripoli, West Fork.

Who Moves On: The first- and second-place individuals at each weight advance to the District 4 tournament at Clarksville on Saturday, Feb. 13. The first- and second-place teams qualify for 1A regional duals on Tuesday.

Ranked Individuals

(By The Predicament)

106 — 7. Kendrick Huck, Nashua-Plainfield.

113 — 2. Garret Rinken, Nashua-Plainfield.

120 — 8. Tanner Arjes, NB-Clarksville.

126 — 9. Trey Lashbrook, AGWSR.

132 — 10. Trey Nelson, Nashua-Plainfield.

145 — 10. McKade Munn, Nashua-Plainfield.

170 — 2. Lane Swenson, South Hamilton.

195 — 4. Trevor Thompson, South Hamilton; 9. Blake Brocka, Tripoli.

285 — 1. Chet Buss, NB-Clarksville.

South Hamilton Lineup (Probable)

106 — Holden Klein, fr (12-20). 113 — Keyton Remsburg, fr (20-11). 120 — Open. 126 — Open. 132 — Open. 138 — Carter Stolee, fr (9-16). 145 — Connor Caudle, jr (3-17). 152 — Blake Harris, soph (7-23). 160 — Owen Duns, fr (7-21). 170 — Lane Swenson, sr (35-1). 182 — Brent Greenfield, jr (33-6). 195 — Trevor Thompson, sr (26-3). 220 — Colton Willis, sr (26-9). 285 — Stellen Willis, jr (1-5).