[Special to SEK-Sports.com from Huntyr Schwegman]
Coming off a dominant performance at the Regional tournament in Garnett where the team scored 271 points, the number one ranked Chanute Wrestling team was the clear favorite to win the KSHSAA 4A State Wrestling Championship.
(State Wrestling coverage sponsored by Johnson Schowengerdt P.A. in Iola)
The Comets qualified a school record 12 wrestlers for the Championships, with 7 of those being regional champions. This is the sixth time since 2013 that Chanute has qualified at least 8 wrestlers.
Among the dozen that came to the tournament, this was the first trip to Salina for freshmen Ty Leedy (132), Trey Dillow (120) and Bryan Jackett (195) and senior Tyler Davis (138).
The team opened the tournament strong, with 4 wrestlers advancing to the finals; junior Trent Clements (106), junior Kolton Misener (113), senior Parker Winder (160) and junior Brayden Dillow (182).
Trey Dillow (120), junior Colton Seely (126), Leedy and senior Brady McDonald (152) all managed to win their way through the consolation side of the bracket to secure medals. Senior Logan McDonald (145) fell in the semi-finals, securing him at least sixth place. All five wrestlers lost their next match, putting them into the match for fifth place.
The placement matches started out at 138, and Logan McDonald got his hand raised due to injury default from his opponent at 145. Logan’s twin brother Brady took the mat at 152, but lost in a close 4-2 decision to Chance Price of Winfield.
Winder took the mat for his championship bout against Anthony Ferguson from KC-Piper. In one of the closest, equally matched face-offs of the tournament, both wrestlers managed to get an escape and takedown, forcing a 3-3 overtime.
Both wrestlers once again rode each other out in the :30 second periods to push it to an ultimate tie-break, which Winder lost when Ferguson picked up the escape with five seconds left.
When Brayden Dillow took the mat against Hunter Schroeder from Concordia, the match was over. Dillow dominated the whole match, slowly scoring points, yet keeping the momentum in his favor throughout.
“It feels like I’ve accomplished a challenge I’ve had in mind since I first started wrestling,” Dillow said after his championship win. “Now it’s time to start over, and do it again.”
Dillow is also known for not showing a lot of emotion on the mat, whether win or lose. But when he made it to the finals, and especially when he won, he let those emotions break free.
“I feel like it’s releasing all the tension I’ve stored up,” he said. “I keep this in mind all the time, and I’ve finally conquered it.”
Trent Clements looked to capture the title he missed out on last year when he finished runner-up in the same weight. After an early takedown and a late cradle leading to five points in the first period, Clements never looked back. The junior picked up the second title of the day for the Comets with an 8-5 decision.
“I’m just excited, ready to celebrate with the team,” Clements said.
Misener looked to repeat the last two matches against Devon Weber from Pratt. This match was highlighted by big returns, well executed leg riding and hand fighting. The match was scoreless through two and a half periods before Weber got a reversal and was able to ride Misener out in a 2-0 decision.
Trey Dillow lost his bout at 120, finishing in sixth. The match came down to the last few seconds when Dillow was able to get a reversal as time expired. The points weren’t called, and Dillow lost, 2-1.
Seely dropped his fifth place match as well, by fall in the second period. Leedy was able to win his fifth place match with a second period fall.
Although the coaches and wrestlers knew much earlier, Chanute was officially announced State Champions. This would be the first in program history, and the first men’s title since 1935 when the basketball team won.
“It’s so exciting to know that you’re part of history in your hometown, where wrestling is big,” Brayden Dillow said.
Team Point Results
- Chanute – 151 points
- Marysville – 94 points
- Andale – 88.5 points
- Tonganoxie – 73 points
- Holton – 65 points
Chanute Results
106 – Trent Clements – 1st – 28 team pts.
113 – Kolton Misener – 2nd – 21 team pts.
120 – Trey Dillow – 6th – 7 team pts.
126 – Colton Seely – 6th – 7 team pts.
132 – Ty Leedy – 5th – 14.5 team pts.
138 – Tyler Davis – DNP – 1 team pt.
145 – Logan McDonald – 5th – 12 team pts.
152 – Brady McDonald – 6th – 13 team pts.
160 – Parker Winder – 2nd – 23 team pts.
182 – Brayden Dillow – 1st – 24.5 team pts.
Other coverage area placers include:
120 – Chance Mitzner – 3rd (Osawatamie)
132 – Christian Rowe – 3rd (Santa Fe Trail)
138 – Jacob Stinnett – 3rd (Fort Scott)
138- Dawson Lapping – 6th (Frontenac)
160 – Cael Johnson – 3rd (Burlington)
182 – Durbie McReynolds – 4th (Girard)
220 – Dallas Higgenbotham – 6th (Anderson Co.)
285 – Logan Brown – 1st (Iola)
285 – Evan Dean – 3rd (Santa Fe Trail)