By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Thompson High School’s five-time state championship wrestling team will look to make its presence known on a national stage during the upcoming school year.

During an Aug. 3 meeting, the Alabaster Board of Education voted unanimously to approve eight out-of-state field trips to allow the THS wrestling team to compete in several tournaments.

During the tournaments, the Warriors will face some of the toughest wrestling competition in the nation.

“As you all know, we have a five-time state championship wrestling team,” said Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers. “They are looking to be a national contender in the next couple of years.”

The THS wrestling program, which has only been in existence since 2007, has won five consecutive state titles since 2011, including the first-ever Class 7A title this year.

In addition to its gamut of in-state competition, Warrior wrestlers will travel to the following tournaments during the upcoming school year:

-Gordor Recreation Center in Sonoraville, Ga., on Nov. 21.

-Eastside High School in Greenville, S.C., from Dec. 4-5.

-McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 11.

-Hale Arena in Kansas City, Mo., from Dec. 18-19.

-Richmond Hill High School in Savannah, Ga., from Dec. 18-19.

-Archer High School in Gwinnett, Ga., from Dec. 28-29.

-University of Rochester in Rochester, Minn., from Jan. 1-2, 2016.

-Kaukauna High School in Kaukauna, Wis., from Jan. 8-9, 2016.

Vickers said some of the trips, particularly the tournaments in Minnesota and Wisconsin, will require financial support from the school system.

“We will come back to you for financial support to assist with some of those costs,” Vickers told board members.