HAYS – The Hoxie Indians had 11 medal winners and six individuals state champions Saturday on their way to a historic second straight team title at the 3-2-1A state tournament at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays.
It was almost a forgone conclusion that the Hoxie Indians were going to claim a second straight state championship after qualifying 12 wrestlers last week at the regional championship and they did not disappoint on Saturday.
The Indians had pretty much wrapped up the team title after the first day of competition in Hays and eventually broke their own team points record with 260 points. That was 159 more than second place Norton, a record for the widest margin of victory.
Individually the Indians were led by Derek Johnson (43-0) who closed out his senior season with an undefeated championship at 157 pounds. He becomes the third wrestler in Hoxie history to finish as a four-time state champion.
All three Smith Center Redmen who reached the finals earned state titles Saturday.
Alex Wilkinson (38-8) won the championship at 144 pounds, Bentley Montgomery (46-1) at 150 pounds and at 215 pounds Eli Franklin (42-6) claimed a first place finish.
Ellis and Hill City both had individual champions as well.
Mason Younger finished the season with a record of 40-1 and claimed the state title at 126 pounds. His team Jarret Mader (34-7) with fourth at 144 pounds.
Hill City’s Aiden Amrein (37-5) claimed the state title at 175 pounds after a runner-up finish last year. His teammate Alexander Hamel (38-9) was third at 106 pounds and Dayton Stephen (34-12) finished sixth at 160 pounds.
Plainville’s Kyle Werner (41-4) finished third at 190 pounds and Quinter’s Tate Blackwill (29-15) was fifth at 106 pounds.
A list of area placers is available below:
Ellis
126 – Mason Younger (40-1) placed 1st
144 – Jarret Mader (34-7) placed 4th
Hill City
106 – Alexander Hamel (38-9) placed 3rd
150 – Dayton Stephen (34-12) placed 6th
175 – Aiden Amrein (37-5) placed 1st
Hoxie
106 – Kash Schiltz (33-11) placed 2nd
113 – Ian Giancola (37-3) placed 1st
120 – Tate Weimer (30-3) placed 3rd
126 – Wayne Shepard (30-9) placed 2nd
132 – Carson Ochs (38-0) placed 1st
138 – Dayton Bell (41-2) placed 1st
144 – Duncan Bell (37-6) placed 3rd
157 – Derek Johnson (43-0) placed 1st
165 – Drew Bretz (40-0) placed 1st
175 – Sam Watkins (32-2) placed 3rd
285 – Gavin Schippers (31-14) placed 1st
Norton Community
113 – Derek Clydesdale (29-19) placed 6th
120 – Jatin Weigel (25-19) placed 6th
138 – Brennen Pfannenstiel (27-13) placed 4th
190 – Garrett Urban (37-4) placed 2nd
215 – Jefferson Otter (35-9) placed 2nd
285 – Corbin Puga (43-5) placed 3rd
Phillipsburg
120 – Kaden Sisson (26-4) placed 2nd
132 – Blake Buresh (33-14) placed 4th
157 – Seth Keeten (15-6) placed 4th
Plainville
190 – Kyle Werner (41-4) placed 3rd
Quinter
106 – Tate Blackwill (29-15) placed 5th
Smith Center
144 – Alex Wilkinson (38-8) placed 1st
150 – Bentley Montgomery (46-1) placed 1st
215 – Eli Franklin (42-6) placed 1st