SALINA — Adding hardware to a trophy case that’s quickly filling up, Labette County’s Aaron Wyrick claimed third place at 175 pounds at the KSHSAA 4A State Wrestling Championships in Salina on Saturday.
“I feel good about it,” Wyrick, a junior, said. “I’ve never placed before, so I’m pretty happy.”
Wyrick defeated Caleb Menke of Hayden via decision, 6-2, in the third place match.
Wyrick notched two takedowns in the match, with Menke’s only points coming on a pair of escapes.
“I knew I had to get a takedown on him,” Wyrick said. “I couldn’t get on bottom against him. So I knew I needed a takedown.”
Wyrick’s stay at the state tournament opened with a pair of wins over Nick Jones via pin and Deekon Holbert by major decision.
The Grizzlies’ quarterback in football then lost to Ethan Eck in the semifinals, relegating Wyrick to the consolation semis.
“We knew it’d be a tough road for him,” Labette County head coach Scott Mattison said. “But coming into the consolation matches, we knew he’d medal. So he just went out and took care of business. He wrestled better here than he has all year long. And he’s had a great year. He really opened up this weekend.”
Wyrick opened Saturday afternoon with a pin over Von Grubbs.
“I knew I just had to go out and wrestle as hard as I could,” Wyrick said.
Menke had beaten Wyrick both times in the pair’s previous matches against one another.
“I told Aaron if we could get a takedown and take him out of the match, we’d have a chance,” Mattison said. “That’s what he did and took care of business. He got in on his legs. Aaron had the right mentality and had a great weekend.”
Saturday’s bronze medal was another addition for a decorated junior campaign that also included quarterbacking the Grizzlies’ football team to its most successful season in history.
“This doesn’t feel real, honestly,” Wyrick said.
Now the goal is to wrestle for a state title as a senior.
“He’ll have that chance next year,” Mattison said. “He’s trying to put on some weight for football so we’ll see where he’s at. But we’ve got him and a great team coming back. He’ll be one of our seniors and it’s time for everybody to step up.”
Parsons sends four to state
Four Parsons Vikings competed at the state wrestling tournament in Salina, with Mario Zacarias reaching the blood round at 120 pounds.
Zacarias’ stay at state opened with a loss by fall to Ryder Dempewolf. Zacarias responded with back-toback wins over Cooper Bradley and Levi Willmann to advance to the blood round.
Once there, Gunner VanNorman pinned Zacarais in the first period, leaving him one victory shy of a podium spot.
Two other Parsons boys competed at state — Kane Leon went 0-2 at 126 pounds while heavyweight Jayshon Wooden also went 0-2.
On the girls’ side, Paytlynn White went 0-2 at 100 pounds for the Vikings.
