Chanute wins 4A State

SALINA, KS — Over 200 wrestlers from 52 different schools arrived in Salina this weekend for the KSHSAA 4A Wrestling Championships. This year also marked the first KSHSAA sanctioned girls championship tournament in the state.

Number one ranked Chanute entered the tournament as the favorite qualifying a staggering 12 wrestlers. Nine other teams managed to qualify seven or more wrestlers.

The first two rounds saw multiple KWCA ranked wrestlers facing off, forcing some of the best 4A wrestlers to earn their medal through the consolation bracket.

One of just two wrestlers to enter the state tournament undefeated on the year, senior Evan Dean wrestles in the heavyweight bracket for Santa Fe Trail. His 41-0 record entering the tournament included 39 pins, one away from the state record.

During the quarterfinals, Dean broke the record with his second pin of the day, this one to secure a placing at the tournament. He received a standing ovation from the entire crowd.

Like the announcer said when Dean won, records are meant to be broken. This particular record stood since the 2010 season when Parker Madl of Blue Valley High School recorded 40 falls in a single season. Dean finished in third place with a record of 45-1.

At the end of day one, Chanute sat atop the team standings with 116 points, followed by Marysville with 67 points and Andale with 66.5 points.

With just one match left to go in his high school career, Saturday was important for senior finalist from Paola Preston Martin. He had previously won the state title at 106, 113 and 126. With a 5-0 decision in the 132 pound championship match he completely controlled, Martin became the first four-time champion in 4A wrestling since 2004.

Dominating the 145 bracket was Marysville senior Jonny Crome, scoring almost a third of his team’s total points with 4 pins and a total time on mat of 4:45.

Kenny Fehrman (220) of Wellington picked up the fastest fall time, pinning his opponent in just 12 seconds.

By the time the “blood round” was over, it was clear Chanute had a lock on the state championship. This would be their first men’s state team title since 1935.

Final Results:

1. Chanute - 151 points

2. Marysville - 94 points

3. Andale - 88.5 points

4. Tonganoxie - 73 points

5. Holton - 65 points

Champions

106 - Trent Clements (Chanute - Jr.)

113 - Devon Weber (Pratt - Jr.)

120 - Grayson Sonntag (Tonganoxie - So.)

126 - Hector Serratos (Andale - Jr.)

132 - Preston Martin (Paola - Sr.)

138 - Kaden Wren (Scott City Comm. - Sr.)

145 - Jonny Crome (Marysville - Sr.)

152 - Sam Elliot (Buhler - So.)

160 - Anthony Ferguson (KC Piper - Jr.)

170 - David Leck (Rose Hill - Sr.)

182 - Brayden Dillow (Chanute - Jr.)

195 - Konnor Tannahill (Holton - Jr.)

220 - Connor Searcy (Tonganoxie - Sr.)

285 - Logan Brown (Iola - Jr.)