Proud of the fight of our wrestlers representing Team Kansas. Great group of kids that battled, fought adversity, and did their best. Being both a parent and coach that is all you can ask for. Both teams finishing strong today to close out the event as expected after four tough days.
Opportunities like this are great to serve as a vector check across the landscape of American wrestling of where each wrestler is at their age and weight. Each wrestler learned lessons this weekend. Some lessons were tougher than others but those type of lessons make you a better wrestler. In most cases events like this are motivating for when they return (of course rest the body a few days) as they know they need to work harder; we all can. I say let the fire burn. If you were successful this weekend keep grinding as it gets lonely on top of the podium. You can never work too hard as trust me those you have beaten want what you have. Believe me as a coach I know you worked our tail off to get there...my advice keep working if not harder. It don’t get easier it never will in this sport. Friendships you make on the mat last a lifetime and I believe new friendships were made and other friendships were strengthened in the bond of sportsmanship. That is worth more than the wins and losses. That will last a lifetime most often.
Additionally, yesterday we had five wrestlers go undefeated: Braden Tatum, Christopher Coates, Xerarch Tungjaroenkul, Dylan Elmore, and Quentin Saunders. Outstanding effort against top notch talent. Extremely tough to do yet you these five wrestlers did it easily.
Christopher Coates and Quentin Saunders finished the even both styles undefeated. Both are future stars in the making; if you haven't heard of them don't be surprised to see them ready day one at the high school level. Quentin wrestled this event two years in a row with out losing a match 32-0 essentially against the best in the country his age and weight; that is unheard of sure it has been done before but less than one hand. We know his future is bright and will do great things for years to come.
We are proud of each of these wrestlers from all over the state.
71lbs Cole Molloy (Derby)
77lbs Cael Alderman (Olathe Southside)
77lbs Braden Tatum (SC Punishers)
83lbs Nick Treaster (Newton)
83lbs Colton Miller (Halstead)
87lbs Owen Eck (Brawlers)
87lbs Lukas Hainline (SC Punishers)
87lbs Christopher Coates (Team Grindhouse)
90lbs Bubba Wright (WWC)
90lbs Nakalyen Shabazz (Maize)
97lbs Henri McGivern (Topeka Blue Thunder)
97lbs Camden Padgett (Maize)
102lbs Damian Mendez (Dodge City Wrestling Academy)
102lbs AB Stokes (Maize)
106lbs Adrian Turner (TOHK)
106lbs Wyatt Weber (Great Bend)
110lbs AJ Furnish (Brawlers)
114lbs Xerarch Tungjaroenkul (SC Punishers)
114lbs Alec Samuelson (Olathe Southside)
119lbs Dylan Elmore (Paola)
119lbs Alonzo Borjas (Ottawa Mat Masters)
125lbs Sam Duling (Carroll)
125lbs Madyson Gray (Lawrence Elite)
130lbs Conner Padgett (Maize)
130lbs Brennan Gann (Carroll)
136lbs Kyan Ensign (Goodland)
136lbs Cameron Bowyer (Valley Center)
149lbs Samson Waggoner (Manhattan)
149lbs Colby Smith (Effingham)
165lbs Broc Eastman (Carroll)
165lbs Aidan McLaughlin (Olathe Raptor)
165lbs Carter Atteberry (Larned)
187lbs Quentin Saunders (TOHK)
250lbs Isaac Stevens (Dodge City Wrestling Academy)
Team Leaders: Robbie Duling & Doug Eck
Coaches: Josh Clark, Kyle Cline Reese Cokeley, and Sammy Cokeley
Chaperones: Jeremy Tungjaroenkul, Jeremy Molloy, and Darin Gray
Lastly, huge thanks our staff. Thank you to our coaches, coordinators, officials, and chaperones. Can’t pull an event off like this without a lot of folks helping.
