When 11-year-old Hunter Haralson got on a bus Dec. 26, he and a group of area wrestlers embarked on a 13-hour ride to Atlanta to compete in the Dixie Asics Nationals.

Hunter, a two-time state champion, boarded the bus with one goal in mind – winning the tournament.

Hunter competed in the 12U 80-pound division at the Georgia World Congress Center. The tournament couldn’t have begun better for Hunter as he breezed through his first four matches, pinning one opponent and outscoring the others, 23-5. With momentum on his side, Hunter was wrestling at the top of his game.

His four wins in the tournament earned him a spot in the championship match.

“I was expecting to win,” Hunter said. “I wanted it super bad.”

But Hunter found that his opponent in the championship match was much more competitive than the other wrestlers he had defeated.

Hunter tried his best, but his opponent was better. Hunter lost the match and finished the tournament with a respectable second place finish.

As Hunter advanced through the tournament bracket, he called home to his parents, Travis and Jenny, after each match. And with each victorious call, excitement began to build at the Haralson household.

Though Hunter’s call following the title match brought some disappointing news, his parents were not disappointed with their son’s effort.

“I was still happy,” Travis said. “He understands he had a really good tournament.”

When Hunter and the other wrestlers were not wrestling in the tournament, they made sure they took some time out to have fun in the big city. Hunter and his friends saw many of the scenic venues in Atlanta, including the capital building.

Having her son hundreds of miles away from home in Lawrence was a little bit worrisome to Jenny. But she had faith her son would still have fun and not be distracted from achieving his goal.

“I am extremely proud of Hunter,” his mother said. “He’s focused and knows what he wants. I trust him half way across the country.”

While Hunter fell just short of winning the title, the loss in the championship match didn’t take away from the fun he had on the trip.

In fact, the loss has given him some motivation for next year.

“It was fun for an 11-year-old boy,” Hunter said. “It was really fun to get away from your parents and have fun with your friends. Just being in that city, being in that hotel was a lot of fun. I’m definitely hoping to go back next year.”