Pittsburg claimed both the boys and girls SEK League wrestling titles in Parsons on Tuesday.
On the boys’ side, Labette County was runner-up, followed by Independence, Chanute, Coffeyville, Fort Scott and Parsons.
“I was happy with some of the kids that battled and did well,” Labette County head coach Scott Mattison said. “But there were a couple of weights where we didn’t wrestle well. So we still need to work hard and get better.”
Pittsburg registered 163.5 points for the win while Labette County was at 149.5 points.
As for the girls, Chanute was second place after winning the title the previous four years in a row. Independence took bronze, followed by Fort Scott, Parsons, Coffeyville and Labette County.
Pittsburg had 177.5 points, 10.5 points better than Chanute.
“I was very pleased with most of the things I saw today,” Parsons head coach Kaito Barr-Miller said. “We came out and competed to the best of our abilities. I saw some guys take the mat trying to become an SEK League champion. I saw fight. I saw competitiveness. I saw grit. I felt good about today, especially leading up to regionals.”
Grizzlies boys take second
Labette County had 12 of its 14 wrestlers earn top-five finishes in their respective weight classes.
“Last year, we got third, but we didn’t threaten or challenge,” Mattison said. “Our kids have done a better job this year. We’re working and improving and getting better. Our goal is to get guys to the state tournament.”
Aaron Wyrick won the league title at 175 pounds, going 3-0 en route to gold.
“He’s getting better,” Mattison said. “We’re still not where we want to be. But he keeps changing things up. He’s varying his shots.”
Alex Ludwig also captured a title at 157 pounds with three wins and no losses.
Three Grizzlies also took second place in their weights. Chris Hare was runner-up at 165 pounds, going 2-1 in a round robin format.
Zack Caulkins took second at 138 pounds, getting pinned by Fort Scott’s Gavin Miles in the title match.
“The kid he had in the finals is a really tough kid and we almost took him down in the beginning of the match,” Mattison said. “We just have to keep working. He has his moments where he does really well. He just needs to keep working on technique.”
Brock McCarty was second at 144 pounds, winning three matches and losing one in a round robin.
“He had a really good day,” Mattison said. “He’s so raw-boned. He’s like a baby giraffe learning how to wrestle. But he’s got a good cradle. Once he really learns that he can go out and beat you, he’ll be really good.”
On the girls’ side, Mady Myers and Rhyan Cochran each took fourth place at 130 and 135 pounds, respectively.
Leon shines for Vikings
Kane Leon earned his second-ever boys league title, taking the crown at 126 pounds. He pinned Pittsburg’s Jonah McDade in the title bout.
“He’s an explosive wrestler that does a lot of great things,” Barr-Miller said. “If he stays consistent, he’s got the potential to do big things.”
Parsons also had a pair of runner- ups on the boys’ side. Mario Zacarias took second at 120 pounds, getting pinned by Independence’s Colton Minick in the championship match.
“He’s always gone up against some good guys,” Barr-Miller said. “That’s the type of caliber of wrestler you’d face at state. He’s got to learn how to wrestle against that type of kid. He didn’t get the championship, but he knows where he needs to be.”
Heavyweight Jashon Wooden also took second place for the Vikings, losing by fall to Coffeyville’s Paxton LeBaron in the title match.
“He had a good day,” Barr-Miller said. “We’ve got to clean up a few things at the heavyweight spot. If he fixes things and cleans it up, he’ll be a guy with a big ceiling.”
On the girls’ side, Paytlynn White took runner-up at 100 pounds for the Vikings. Malaia Miller of Independence won a 6-0 decision over White in the title bout.
“She’s a girl that has to battle through adversity,” Barr-Miller said. “She battles hard and she grinds. I’m happy for her and her spot.”
Lylah Ritchie (110 pounds) and Brittany Boucher (145 pounds) each took third place in their weights.
SEK League Wrestling Championships Individual Champions Boys
106: Brodie Spencer, Pittsburg 113: Jarvis Hall, Coffeyville 120: Colton Minick, Independence 126: Kane Leon, Parsons 132: Skylar Weir, Pittsburg 138: Gavin Miles, Fort Scott 144: Kyler Keating, Fort Scott 150: Bo Small, Chanute 157: Alex Ludwig, Labette County 165: Braddox Bancroft, Chanute 175: Aaron Wyrick, Labette County 190: DeMarus Partee, Pittsburg 215: Noah Edington, Independence 285: Paxton LeBaron, Coffeyville
Girls
100: Malaia Miller, Independence 105: Caellen Wescoat, Fort Scott 110: Kenna Miles, Fort Scott 115: Savannah Shires, Pittsburg 120: Korbyn Allison, Fort Scott 125: Chloe Mund, Coffeyville 130: Kaitlyn Allen, Pittsburg 135: Brecken Campbell, Pittsburg 140: Kiana Berryman, Pittsburg 145: Alexis Burns, Pittsburg 155: Callie Fairbank, Independence 170: Kiley Dillow, Chanute 190: Taylor Melugin, Independence 235: Ashley Perez, Pittsburg
