This year's state tournaments will always have an asterisk next to it with 8 man brackets and all the issues our sport has dealt with. By looking at our awesome wrestlers, you could never guess it was different. They just WANNA WRESTLE!!! Tomorrow is....Washburn Rural time! Since taking over a team that finished near the bottom of the 2012 State tournament, Damon Parker has methodically built a program that is ready to bring home the schools first Boys State Wrestling championship. I had to say "Boys" because he won the first ever Girls Wrestling title in 2020 and won another yesterday! Saying that Junior Blue Kingdom is excited is a colossal understatement. Dodge City is their main competition along with 2018 champion Olathe North. This is not your grandfather's 6A tournament, but as our own Billy Ross would say, "It's time to bring it!!!!!"

A weight by weight look at tomorrows action...

106
Last years finalist and #1 ranked Cody Woods from Derby heads this bracket. He has a likely path to the finals. The bottom half is up for grabs. Casin Lawrence (ON) brings an 18-1 record into a semi with freshman sensation Jonathan Morrison (WR) who is 26-3, losing a close 6-4 match last week to Woods. The senior Woods vs seven underclassmen.

113
Washburn's Jacob Tangpricha splashed on the scene at last years state tournament, beating Cael Alderman in the semis and Cody Woods in the finals. Well folks, tomorrow is 363 days later for the anticipated rematch with Cael Alderman (ON). Cael won 40 matches as a freshman last year and oh yeah, was a Fargo AA. There will be fans on the edge of their seat for this one.

120
Lawrence Free State welcomes Norton transfer and 2020 state champion Darius Shields to a Firebird team that is on the rise. But make no mistake, Bishop Murray will win this bracket and no ridiculous defensive pin call will get in his way!

126
The working man's bracket. All eight guys have chopped wood this year, earning their shot at #1 ranked and 2020 finalist Joe Triscornia from Olathe North. Joe will win this bracket but an interesting rematch is lurking on the topside. Jahir Contreras pinned Dylan Sheler on December 12th. You think Dylan has his eye on that match?

132
It's a two man race here. Nationally ranked Damian Mendez from Dodge City will likely win this bracket. 2020 State champion, Easton Taylor (MH) has other plans. He has had two 5-2 losses to Mendez this year. Will the third time be a charm?

138
Erick Domiguez (GC) has earned his #1 ranking. The dude is flat out tough. Bowen Murray (WR) has put together a great senior season at 28-3 and he will get his deserved second shot at Dominguez in the final.

145
Another solid bracket. 2x placer and 2019 finalist Nathan Bowen looks to end his stellar career at Campus with a state title. He is 36-1 with his only loss to Luke Barker at 152. Blaisen Bammes (MH) will be a stiff test in the semis, if he can get past Olathe South's Johnny Cash Thomas. (The All-Name winner of 6A). The bottom half has a strong first round match in Olathe North's Alec Samuelson vs Junction City's CJ Neuman. That winner will likely see undefeated Trey Medina (LAW). Kansas fans remember that name from Garden City who after placing in 2019, found his way back to the limelight in Lawrence.

152
Drumroll please... A pair of 2020 state champions.... Rematch from last week.... Cason Lindsey (DB) vs Luke Barker (DC).... Lindsey beat Barker 5-1 last week. This should be the best finals match of the night!

160
For much of the season, Garden's Josh Janas sat atop of the 6A 160 rankings. The plot has thickened. Marcelino Otero (DC) has been on a tear after two early season losses and a loss by major to Janas on January 21st. If Janas can get by Bobby Thomas (OS), then a top shelf, old fashioned grudge match is in store! State placer Landon Wilkes (ON) and the guy that beat Jansas 10-8 in OT last week, Aidan Boline (WR) adorn the bottom side of this bracket.

170
I may have gotten ahead of myself calling 152 the best final of 6A (even though it is). #1 ranked Blake Jouret (OS) is 32-0 and has run roughshod over competition this season. Austin Fager from Washburn Rural will make this final special. Fager lost 3-2 to Jacob McLain and wrestled Jouret to a 3-1 match in their dual. Should be a great match.

182
Wichita West's Quentin Saunders! Watch him go! Enough said...

195
#1 ranked and undefeated Gus Davis from Gardner is the clear favorite. He does pass the eye test! Caden Ross (WNW) v Ty Farrington (BVN) should be a solid semi-final on the top.

220
Mason Ross (WNW) is 26-1, losing only to Andale's Cayden Winter, is the favorite here. That prediction means nothing to Brooks Lowe (BVW) who brings in his own shiny 22-0 record. I see a collision happening!

285
When you say "Heavyweights" in Kansas, you know it's about to get serious. This bracket is no exception. When is the last time you heard of a HWT freshman beating two top ranked seniors at Sub-State to gain the #1 ranking headed into state? You never have, because "Sub-state" is weird. Coach Prieto told me he had a special freshman at 285 and boy was he right. The rematch is on in the semis with Damian Ilalio (MH). Damian was last years finalist and sat atop the rankings most of the year. He lost to Lopez in OT last week. Look out for this one. David Huckstep (WR) awaits the winner in the finals.

Rief Chenegade-

Thank you for your thoughtful preview of today's 6A meet. I have a few edits.


A weight by weight look at tomorrows action...

106
Washburn Rural's Ginger Avenger will undoubtedly take home the title, a victory for redheads everywhere.

113
Tang is so Tangy! Championship for our guy.

120
Bishop Murray reminds me of a young me. Obv he's going to be winner winner chicken dinner.

126
Oh hi, have you met The Frenchman, Henri McGivern? It's only a 126 pound state title if it comes from the McGivern region of France.

132
OPEN - there will be no 132 pound champ this year

138
Bowan Murray returns emo hair to the top of the podium. It's a great day for Blink 182 fans everywhere.

145
Unless I can make 145 in the next five minutes, this weight is also open this year.

152
Don't look now, but Nick Vincent is going to pin all of his opponents and wrestle <1 minute for the entire tournament. BET THE FARM ON IT

160
Aiden Boline, aka Maiden Bovine, shocks the world. Easy state champy for him.

170
The state of Kansas hasn't seen a 170 pounder like this since 2003. Fager summons his inner Prant and brings home another title for Team Top Hat.

182
Remington Styles, who will be flying fighter jets in like 6 weeks, emerges as the best P4P wrestler in Kansas. These first place medals are getting heavy for TTH.

195
This weight is fake, no team points will be awarded.

220
Franco the Tanko obv blasts his way to the top of the podium here.

285
The Funky Huckstepper Hucksteps his way to eternal glory in a stacked heavyweight bracket. You love to see it.

Final Predicto:
Team Top Hat: 600 team points
Manhattan: 2nd place
Everyone else: zero team points

I look forward to these posts ever year Mr. Garker #swish