Wrestlers in home stretch
By Marcus Day
Contributing Writer
The Santa Fe Trail wrestling team is entering the home stretch of the season. Only one duel remains before they embark on the league, regional and state Tournaments on consecutive weekends.
The Chargers dueled Atchison County (ranked #6 in 3-2-1A) and Rossville on Tuesday. The Kaw Valley League Tournament takes place on February 12 at Santa Fe Trail.
On Jan. 29, the Chargers attended the Baldwin Invitational Tournament where they placed third as a team.
Nationally ranked Oak Park, MO took the team title with 333 points and won every weight class between 112-140 lbs. Abilene edged Trail for second with 254 points. The Chargers accumulated 248.5 points. Lansing finished fourth with 227. Baldwin rounded out the top five with 161 points.
“I knew they had to be good,” Charger Head Coach Regan Erickson said of Oak Park, “From 112-140 lbs. they were incredible. They were a lot of fun to watch wrestle.”
Trail had only one champion in the tournament. Justin Wiscombe kept his undefeated record intact as he dominated the 171 bracket. He also won the Gorrarian Award for most pins in the least amount of time.
“It’s just one step closer to state. I’ve just been working hard and things have been going my way,” said Wiscombe of the victory.
Lorenzo Mundy also had an impressive showing in the 125 lb. weight class as he defeated 4A number one ranked Tanner Dawson from Abilene before losing to National Champion Dylan Joiner from Oak Park.
Mundy was not the only Trail wrestler to lose to a National Champion on Saturday. Four other Chargers, Josh Cauthon (130), Max Connelly (140), Chad Schmale (152) and Travis Eden (160) all lost to a National Champion on Saturday.
Other Chargers placing in the top four on Saturday were: Tyler Cordts, 3rd at 103; Brad Padilla, 3rd at 119; Max Connelly, 2nd at 140; Chad Schmale, 2nd at 152; Travis Eden, 3rd at 160; Charlie Shively, 4th at 275.
“I think we did pretty well overall, but there were a few matches that we could’ve done better in,” said Erickson.
The wrestlers traveled to Bonner Springs Jan. 25 to duel Bishop Ward and defending league champions Bonner Springs.
The Chargers had no trouble with either squad and only lost three matches in the two duels. They beat Bonner Springs 70-6 and Kansas City-Ward 69-3.
“It was good to get out and wrestle hard and most of all put it to Bonner Springs so badly after what happened last year at the League Tournament,” said 103 pounder Tyler Cordts.
