Whitehouse’s Carter McLaughlin. (Contributed)

WHITEHOUSE — Carter McLaughlin has had a decorated wrestling career at Whitehouse High School.

As a sophomore, McLaughlin advanced to the UIL Wrestling State Tournament in the 138-pound class and placed second in Class 5A.

As a junior, McLaughlin bumped up to the 144-pound class and placed fourth in the state in Class 5A.

Now, as the multi-sport standout gets ready for the final wrestling meet of his career — the UIL Wrestling State Tournament Friday and Saturday at The Berry Center in Cypress — he said there is just one thing missing.

“I feel like in my wrestling career, there is one missing piece, and that’s a state championship,” McLaughlin said. “It’s been the goal in my mind. It’s what I’ve been working towards my whole wrestling career.

“Also, to be a state champ, I feel like I owe it to my dad (Dustin McLaughlin) and my coach (Justin Wood) and all of the time they’ve put into me. It would be an unreal feeling because I’ve been wrestling since I was 5 or 6. And I have one goal in mind. To accomplish it, I would feel good for myself but also everybody that’s been there with me the whole time.”

This time around, McLaughlin is competing in the 150-pound class. He is the top seed with a 21-0 record and will open up against Grapevine’s Ryan Pauken (40-10) in the 16-wrestler bracket. On the opposite side of the bracket is No. 2 seed Bryce Palmer (25-0) of Smithson Valley.

“I’ve got to leave it all on the mat,” McLaughlin said. “The other years, I knew I had next year, but now this is it. I can’t go out slow and can’t go out worried. I’ve got to go out like it’s all on me and I’ve got something to prove.”

McLaughlin was an all-district performer for the Whitehouse football team, and he plays lacrosse for Cumberland Academy. He will play lacrosse at the collegiate level for Utah Tech University.

Other area wrestlers competing at the state tournament this weekend on the boys side are Winnsboro’s Anthony Fulmer, 215-pound class, 24-1 record; and teammate Keegan McNeil, 285-pound class, 14-7 record.

Area girls competing at the wrestling state tournament are the Winnsboro duo of Tatum Watkins, 165-pound class, 12-6 record; and Gracien Fulmer, 185-pound class, 17-2 record.