Carroll tournament provides competition
BY MATT BROWNING
Wichita Eagle correspondent
In years past, the Bishop Carroll wrestling invitational was considered one of the premier one-day tournaments in the state, with as many as seven or eight ranked teams in the field.
Carroll coach Darian Eshelman isn't certain this year's tournament stacks up to previous years in terms of the overall depth, but he believes it makes up for it by simulating what a state tournament is like.
"Even though a state tournament is a two-day tournament, our one-day event can prepare the kids for what kind of talent they will see later on in the season," Eshelman said. "I think by having an event like ours... it's more beneficial than duals."
There aren't many traditional state powers in Saturday's field, but there are still teams that have the talent to compete at state.
Heights, Class 6A's second-ranked team by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association, is in the field. Carroll is ranked No. 2 in Class 5A.
Salina South (No. 7) and Newton, which was preseason No. 8, are strong 5A programs. Also in the field from Class 4A are No. 5 Andale and No. 6 Wichita Independent.
"I still think this tournament has a lot to offer even if it isn't as strong as before," Eshelman said. "There are going to be some great individual classes."
Some of those classes include:
• The 140 pound class, which could prove to be the most entertaining. Dalton Maier from Heights (ranked No. 2 in his weight class in 6A), Jake Mainz from Carroll (No. 2 in 5A) Jason Seibel from Salina South (No. 5 in 5A), and Cody Bontz from Independent (No. 2 in 4A) all could be in the semifinals.
• At 125 pounds, two top-ranked wrestlers are scheduled to participate; Dylan Penka from Carroll and Daniel DeShazer from Heights. Possibly standing in their way is Salina South's Steven Plott, who is ranked No. 3 in 5A.
• The 160-pound class has a pair of No. 1 wrestlers in Kyle Detmer from Carroll and Benny Armstrong from Andale. There is also Travis Rogers from Newton, who is ranked No. 4 in 5A.
"The kids are really looking forward to getting some good competition," Eshelman said. "It's good to prepare them to this kind of schedule."
Finals are scheduled to start between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., with two mats going at the same time. The consolation bracket will be on one end and the championship match on the other.
