Washburn Rural very nearly ended up with a pair of matching wrestling state championship trophies, but wound up in second place in Class 6A thanks to two individual title-winners, highlighting local action at the state boys wrestling championships this weekend.
Sophomore 106-pounder Jacob Tangpricha took a 4-2 decision over Derby’s Cody Woods to bring home the gold to cap his 31-10 campaign. Then, in the 113-pound final, Rural junior Bishop Murray defeated Dodge City’5-2 decision to finish 34-3 and win his second career state crown. Those two were among six state medalists for a Rural team that finished with 148 total points, just behind the 161.5 of state champion Mill Valley.
Area wrestlers swept the three smallest weight classes in 6A, with Manhattan sophomore Easton Taylor winning the 120-pound crown.
Four local wrestlers brought home medals from 5A competition, including two from Shawnee Heights – 113-pounder Brock Ferguson (3rd) and 145-pounder Caden Walker – and Seaman’s Dylan Williams, who was fifth at 160 pounds.
In 4A action in Salina, Holton junior Konnor Tannahill brought home the 195-pound gold, pinning Prairie View’s Chanz Gerleman in the first round to cap off a 27-6 season. He was one of three Holton medalists on the weekend as the Wildcats placed fifth as a team.
Rossville senior Zach Archer became a two-time state champion in 3-2-1A in Hays, completing a dominant 41-1 campaign at 113 pounds with a major decision over Connor Collins of Osage City. At 220, Osage City junior Dane Whalen topped Rossville’s Kody Davoren in a 6-5 decision to win the title and finish his season with a 35-4 record.
Below is the honor roll of state medalists from the 580 Preps coverage area. State champions are in bold.
6A
FREE STATE Nolan Bradley, 106 – 5th place Lou Fincher, 132 – 2nd place
JUNCTION CITY CJ Neuman, 152 – 6th place
LAWRENCE Jack Elsten, 106 – 6th place Kevin Honas, 120 – 4th place
MANHATTAN Easton Taylor, 120 – STATE CHAMPION Tate Sauder, 126 – 3rd place Blaisen Bammes, 138 – 3rd place Damion Ilalio, 285 – 2nd place
WASHBURN RURAL Jacob Tangpricha, 106 – STATE CHAMPION Bishop Murray, 113 – STATE CHAMPION Caleb Douglas, 120 – 5th place Bowen Murray, 132 – 4th place Gavin Carter, 195 – 2nd place Andrew Davis, 220 – 5th place
5A
EMPORIA Xerarch Tungjaroenkul, 132- 3rd place
SEAMAN Dylan Williams, 160 – 5th place
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS Brock Ferguson, 113 – 3rd place Caden Walker, 145 – 6th place
4A
BURLINGTON Cael Johnson, 160 – 3rd place
HOLTON Jake Barnes, 113 – 5th place Kolby Roush, 138 – 2nd place Konnor Tannahill, 195 – STATE CHAMPION
ROCK CREEK Drew Burenheide, 160 – 6th place
SANTA FE TRAIL Christian Rowe, 132 – 3rd place Evan Dean, 285 – 3rd place
WAMEGO Hayden Oviatt, 160 – 4th place
3-2-1A
MISSION VALLEY Nolan Parker, 285 – 5th place
OSAGE CITY Connor Collins, 113 – 2nd place Dane Whalen, 220 – STATE CHAMPION
PERRY-LECOMPTON Grant Roush, 152 – 6th place Hayden Robb, 220 – 5th place
ROSSVILLE Zach Archer, 113 – STATE CHAMPION Layne Hurla, 138 – 4th place Kody Davoren, 220 – 2nd place
SILVER LAKE Kai Allen, 132 – 2nd place
ST. MARYS Charles King, 132 – 6th place
WABAUNSEE Derek Wallin, 160 – 6th place