Lions set sights on state wrestling title
By Scott Lavelock
Leavenworth Times
Thu Dec 04, 2008, 12:24 AM CST
Lansing, Kan. -
With 10 state qualifiers last year, the Lansing wrestling team is used to winning, and they expect this season to be no different.
“I believe the last time we had a losing wrestling season was 1983-1984,” head coach Ron Averill said. “So we’ve had pretty good string. Now, that doesn’t mean we haven’t been without our ups and downs, (but) these guys have really been a strong team.”
The Lions feel the best is yet to come. They came up just short of a couple of titles last year, finishing third in the Kaw Valley League and second at regionals. But with eight of their state qualifiers from last year back again this season, plus two more wrestlers who qualified for state two years ago, the Lions have 10 competitors with state tournament experience. They believe that goes to show that they are capable of going all the way.
“We should win state,” said senior Grant Hinckley, who is one of the returning state qualifiers. “We have the potential, really, to go in and do what we’ve never done before.”
Averill doesn’t disagree.
“If you talk to a bunch of them, their ultimate goal is a state championship,” he said. “Whether that’s a realistic goal right now or not, nobody can say. But what is realistic is that if there were ever a team that could make it happen, this is the team that could do it.”
Of the 10 state qualifiers last year, seven were freshmen. With some of the best talent on the team being so young, the Lions have a unique make-up that could lead to the kind of success which is uncommon as well.
“Our team, to be honest, is filled with leaders,” Averill said. “It’s not only filled with quality wrestlers, but they have the character of leadership. That’s what is really raising these guys up ... when you can come up with a whole load of kids like that, it’s a unique experience.”
Most of the returning state qualifiers from last year will move up just one weight class, so Averill thinks the consistency of their level of competition should allow for success. Brett Brown (112 lbs. this year), Garrett Hinckley (125 lbs.), Spencer Blew (130 lbs.), Dylan Scanlon (135 lbs.), Tyler Terron (145 lbs.), Tyler Baughman (160 lbs.), Grant Hinckley (171 lbs.) and Nathan Wessel (189 lbs.) will all look to make at least their second consecutive state tournament appearances. Baughman is the only one of those who projects to move up two weight classes.
“He’s looking really strong,” Averill said. “I don’t anticipate that being a problem for him.”
Wes Appleget (140 lbs.) qualified for state as a sophomore two years ago and will also look for a return trip, as will Colin DeMarest (152 lbs.), who is back to Lansing after moving the previous year.
Even with several experienced wrestlers, Lansing will also likely have freshmen contributing in the varsity meets. One is Bo Pursel, who is already state ranked despite having never competed in a high school match.
By Scott Lavelock
Freshman Bo Pursel (top) goes up against teammate Justin Lozenski during a 103-pound matchup at Lansing’s Red/White scrimmages on Tuesday night. Pursel is already ranked among the top wrestlers in the state in his weight division, despite having never competed in a high school bout.
“Bo is a little monster,” Grant Hinckley said. “I can’t wait to see Bo wrestle.”
Hinckley also expects big things from Blew and Scanlon:
“Spencer Blew, I expect him to do just great things. He’s a fun wrestler to watch. ... Dylan Scanlon, he was one away from placing (at state) last year. He did really well. His record didn’t show how good he really was. He’s about as strong as anyone his size can get.”
Scanlon’s personal goal is to finish in the top two at state, but he also expects the Lions to have a qualifier at all 14 weight classes. He knows, though, that there will be challenges ahead such as staying healthy, and that the team needs to stay focused.
“Everybody has been trying their hardest,” Scanlon said. “People are sore, but they’re still putting it all on the line, so we’re having good practices. ... I think that’s a big deal. We all need to push each other. That’s the biggest thing.”
Averill also knows it will be a challenge to replace two of their seniors from last year. One of them, Tyler Schwinn, finished third at state in the 152-pound division.
“He’s a huge loss for us...” Averill said of his long-time leader, Schwinn. “Dennis Wood, he had had a back injury, so he only got like two matches in the whole season. Although he didn’t get a whole lot of matches in last season, he’s a big loss in what he brought into the wrestling room and the experience and the help that he gave throughout the year as a team leader.”
Still, the feeling is positive about this season, with a massive total of 34 wrestlers out for the team.
“We have guys that came out this year that I guess I have never wrestled before,” Grant Hinckley said. “We’ve never had so many people come out for wrestling.”
The season starts with a KVL double-duel matchup at Perry-Lecompton on Saturday morning. The Lions will not have a single home event during the regular season, which culminates with the KVL Tournament in Bonner Springs on Feb. 14. The regional tournament will be the following week, with the state tournament taking place Feb. 27-28.
Grant Hinckley finished fifth at state last year and fourth the year before. His goal is nothing less than a first place finish this year, and he stresses that this will not be a repeat of last year. For that matter, each Lansing wrestler seems intent on making each performance better than the last. Perhaps Averill summed it up best:
“Our goal is to try and wrestle the best match of our lives every time we step on the mat.”
