does anybody know if both of these people are at 189 and if they are staying there? if so, it should make for an interesting 5A state bracket.

Jed Mamie from STA took 2nd in 5A 171 last year while wrestling from a knee due to a still-mending broken leg. He is at 189 this year.

that could be quite an interesting bracket. to bad i'm 4a and i dont get to see 5a state

Hutchinson wrestling team returns wealth of experience

By Jonathan Sanfilippo

The Hutchinson News

With as many talented and experienced wrestlers as Hutchinson High has returning from last season, it's easy to understand why coach Mike Garcia is exciting about his team.


"I feel pretty good about our chances," said Garcia, whose Salt Hawks open this season by hosting a triangular next Thursday. "We've got about three weights that we've kind of got to develop a little bit, but everything else seems to have fallen into line."

Garcia's Salt Hawks, who have switched Classes from 6A to 5A, return nine state qualifiers from their squad that placed fifth as a team at last spring's 6A tournament.

Among those returnees is junior Romero Cotton, a two-time individual state champion, who will be competing in the 171-pound division. Cotton compiled a 35-2 record and won a state title at 160 pounds with the Salt Hawks last season. He also had success at the ASICS/Vaughan Cadet Nationals during the summer in Fargo, N.D., where he won championships at 171 pounds in both the Greco-Roman and freestyle events.

"My goal is to try to do better than last year and not have as many losses and win every tournament I go to," Cotton said.

Hutchinson has another returning state champion in senior Ben Evans, who will compete again in the 189-pound division, where he went 35-5 and won a state title last spring. Like Cotton, Evans expects to do even better this winter.

"I'd like to have a little bit better record, get on the first-team in the AVCTL this year, and of course just win state again," Evans said. "I just want to become a better wrestler all-around. That's about it."

Hutchinson also has returning state medallists in sophomore Colby Crank, who returns at 135 pounds, where he went 32-15 and finished state runner-up last season, and senior Micah Ankenman, who's moved up to 119 pounds after going 31-7 and placing third at state at 112.

The Salt Hawks' other returning state qualifiers include seniors Brett Newton, who will be wrestling at 125 pounds, Jacob Hulsey at 130, Caleb Almanza at 145 and Josh Cohen at 215, along with junior William Thacker at heavyweight.


12/01/2006; 02:37:27 AM

Romero Cotton is the best wrestler in the state and in the USA for his weight. You should have seen him at Fargo. No one was close.

It's too bad I'll be at California Speedway the weekend of state. That matchups about like me and ole' Frenchy, should go down to the wire.

Dude for real this isnt nascar ricky

I ASK SCOTT ELLIOT IF HE WAS STAYING AT 189 AND HE SAID YES THATS WERE HE WILL BE SO THERE YA GO.

But, is Cotton staying at 171?