Well, I am on grandbaby watch (My 16th grandkid!!!) .....and will miss attending state for the first time in 17 years. Oh girl!
As always, the brackets tell a story.
- Some brackets have the top guys on one side.
- Some stories about "fixing" regional placings.
- Several hollering off "When are we going to seed these brackets!"
- Three state tournaments?
- No Grand State?
It all adds to our favorite time of the year, The KANSAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! Doesn't get better than this...
The 5A team race has Goddard in a very familiar place, defending a state title and an amazing SEVEN STRAIGHT. They bring 12 wrestlers to the battle. Coach Parks has Blue Valley Southwest peaking at the right time with a full roster of 14 wrestlers! Newton and Maize bring loads of potential points with 9 each, STA with 8, Mill Valley with 10 and the sleeper to upset the order is Shawnee Heights with 12. Could get INTERESTING but don't blame Coach Means for wearing that confident grin once again.
A look at the brackets...
106 - This one turned out perfect with 1,4 and 5 on one side. 2,3 and 6 on the other. VC's sophomore Jett Schwartz is 3-0 vs #2 Lucas Kaufman of Newton. Their last two have been WAY close with an overtime and 6-4 at regionals. Expect a fourth meeting! With 10 freshman in this bracket, it's always a blast. In the race for third, Markley (BVSW), Ballard (BAS), Denton (BC) and Wall (ANC). Do not overlook STA's Kriner to decide it's his time!
113 - The top of the podium is already occupied by nationally ranked Nick Treaster from Newton, seeking his 3rd straight title. #2 Levi Glover (GD) will likely reach the finals to meet him. #3 Shields (VC) and and the always dangerous #6 Jase Adam (SLC) man the top side below Treaster. Glover's challenge will come from Newcomb (ANC) and Monaco (KMC).
120 - This bracket is stacked! Dillon Cooper (MV) and AB Stokes (NEW) are on a possible collision course. Cooper will have to get by Landry Root (AND) and Kaden Spragis (GB). Stokes gets the winner of Jayden Miller (GD) and SH senior Brock Ferguson. Do not miss the Semis for this one. The top side Conso finals will be classic as the "true" 3rd v 4th match.
126 - #1 and #2 are on opposite sides. Bubba Wright has been a literal wrecking ball with 37 wins and 27 falls. We were all hoping that Nakaylan Shabazz would make it back from his injury. He was 1-1 vs Bubba, hading him his only Kansas loss this year. Highly regarded freshman Kaden Allen (STA) presents the biggest challenge for Wright on the top. Mill Valley's Maddox Casella has used his nails schedule to prepare his planned path to the finals. Do not overlook Wolf (GB), Duling (BC) and Hainline (EMP).
132 - There is Hayden Mills (BVSW) and then the chasers. Keton Patterson (MZ) will get Andrew Bonebrake (SH) in a tough quarter match to meet Mills in the semi on top. The bottom is lead by Hays soph Harley Zimmerman who has had a stellar season. He will await the winner of stud freshman Jacob Goodwin (GD) and last year's finalist Eddie Hughart (MV). A good solid bracket and important to the team race!
138 - The Panther Punisher, Wyatt Weber is the favorite here. State finalist Jevin Foust (ARK) and Ty Lewis (SH) will likely meet in the quarters. On the bottom, Senior Colin Bybee (NEW) will play a big part in gaining those coveted Semi win team points. Adam Maki (AND) and Clayton Bowers (MZ) will make noise, while Nick Gillen carries the BVSW hopes in this bracket.
145 - #1 Xerarch Tungjaroenkul (EMP) has built himself into a true national talent. His much anticipated match with #2 Gabe Maki (AND) ended in a fall though Maki has thought of nothing else but getting his next shot at X when it counts. Two sophomores, Zach Wessley (GD) who is coming off his spectacular state title and upstart Colin McAlister (MV) will provide the challenger ammo.
152 - Jerrdon Fisher (GD) finishes his historic high school career in an almost certain 3rd state title. This "kid" is the best of the Fisher legacy, though I hear there are more coming! The 5A East regional provided a huge final clash that saw STA's Jordan Habben capture a thrilling OT victory over Cole Cronk from BVSW, who had beaten him at EKL the week before. How valuable that victory was in bracket placement! Outwardly, neither would say they wanted opposite sides of Fisher, but I'll say it. They wanted opposite sides of Fisher. Habben does have an interesting semi match looming in Elix Hernandez of Salina Central. One match at a time Jordo!
160 - The entire state and national eyes were on last weeks match between 1 and 2. Dylan Elmore took the regional title over Brett Umentum by two points. Barring a minor miracle, write those two on the bracket for another crowd pleasing backyard finals brawl! Cayden Walker (SH) and Easton Boone (VC) vie for the medal stand.
170 - #1 Connor Padgett should waltz to the finals as Mason Levin (IKE), Ethan Cronk (BVSW), Wyatt Bahm (ARK) and Cam Bowyer fight for the bottom side path.
182 - Can we seed this bracket? If you've been living under a rock and had not heard, the sophomore phenom from Maize Ayden Flores, pinned nationally ranked Quentin Saunders of Goddard at regionals. That was on the heels of a 9-7 win over #3 Nathan Fury of KMC in the semis. Fury still has his chance at Saunders, but that chance has Flores in the way. Great Semi on that bottom side.
195 - #1 Kaden Glass finishes his star-studded high school career as the clear favorite. Expect Sean Wunder to make the semis on the top. The bottom is filled with tough dudes. Sean Carroll (STA) leads a group of Wunsch (MZ), Thomas (SEA), Trujillo (EMP), Pipkin (SPH) and Eastman (HC). Jake Laurie (BVSW) is a key piece of BVSW's team title hopes.
220 - #1 Gavin Meyers has had a season for the ages. The dude is good...and a beast. There will be two great quarters matches here in Forsyth (BVSW) v Wood (ANC) and Cunningham (STA) vs Buchanan (NEW).
285 - Kansas has historically had great Heavies. This year we are DEEP. No slight on the others here but there are SEVEN legit 285's in this bracket. Bonner's Tony Caballero brings his 24-1 record into a crazy quarter clash with Gavin Nutting (HAY). The winner gets Rio Gomez of Newton in the semis. On top Braydon Wickliffe (GD) meets Andrew Farrell (BVSW) in the quarters! That winner punches his ticket to meet Salina South's Kayson Dietz who has put together a stunning senior season. Elijah Hunt from VC is not to be overlooked. A stellar Big Man bracket!
Whew..... STATE EVE.... Brings a tear to my eye...
Last edited by Chief Renegade; 02/24/22 05:48 PM.