The Bryan Viking wrestling team got smaller but better.

And being overlooked in the state rankings has only served to motivate the Vikings as they prepare for the UIL Wrestling State Championships, which open Friday at the Delco Center in Austin.

The usually deep Vikings could not field competitors in every weight category this season. But while the size of the squad shrank, Bryan wrestling coach Mike Zito became convinced the overall team improved.

He states his case simply. Four Bryan wrestlers are set to compete at state with a fifth making the trip as an alternate.

"We push the kids harder than they think they can go," Zito said. "They pushed farther. They would step out and drive each other."

Junior Javier Aguilar enters his second straight state meet with a 39-4 record at 125 pounds. He beat Cedar Park Vista Ridge's Abel Suarez 9-3 to win the Region IV championship, though Suarez is ranked higher.

Javier Aguilar went 35-3 and reached state as a sophomore.

"He was one of those kids that was overlooked at regionals, and he took everybody out," Zito said. "When you look at the state rankings for 125 pounds, Javier is nowhere in the top six. It works in his favor. The kids will overlook him and look at the kids who are ranked."

While the Vikings are aware of their rankings, Zito says he doesn't push his wrestlers to improve them or focus on them. He simply pushes the Vikings to compete hard.

David Orozco, Bryan's only senior assured of competing at state, used the lesson to earn his weight class's last spot at the Region IV meet. Orozco lost in the consolation finals at 145 pounds but won a challenge-back match over Austin High's Jordan Buys.

"He lost by a point in the final 15 seconds but got to challenge back against [Buys]," Zito said. "He beat him soundly. David has been around four years and is a good kid, a hard worker. He's not the biggest, fastest or strongest, but he has the biggest heart. He could have given up at regionals."

Bryan's Thomas Forster (27-9) bounced back and forth between weight classes this year, moving from 160 to 171.

"Once 160 became his hole, he had a decent showing at regional," Zito said. "He's another one that's being overlooked. He could pull off a top six."

Bryan's Omar Aguilar is a sophomore making his first trip to state. What sets him apart is that opponents look up to him, literally.

"When you are 6-4 or 6-3, it's a different style of wrestling," said Zito. "He can reach underneath with a long arm. It's not something a lot of people see. At 171 pounds, they are used to a stocky, shorter wrestler."

With the lean build, Omar Aguilar sometimes looks more athletic on the mat, and his long reach can be a huge advantage. He has a 15-6 record this year after missing time because of injuries and grades.

Omar's brother, Alex Aguilar, is going as an alternate at 140 pounds. The senior went 33-5 and had a one-point lead with 7 seconds left in his final match at regionals, but a two-point takedown bumped him out of the final qualifying spot in his class.

• David Campbell's e-mail address is david.campbell@theeagle.com.