Cardinals’ 147-pounder posts best finish since 2017 for school at nationals
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Kyler Tabor etched himself into history for the Labette Cardinals over the weekend, becoming the first wrestler from Labette to compete for a national title since 2013.
Tabor finished runner-up at 149 pounds at the NJCAA National Championships in Iowa.
The Labette star opened his national tournament with a pin of Vincent Capone of Union in the first period.
Tabor then defeated Iowa Central’s Matthew Roche, 7-5, in a decision in the round of 16. Tabor scored points with a first-period takedown, a reversal in the second period, an escape and riding time.
In the quarterfinals, Tabor won another decision, 8-5, against Muskegon’s Kyron Zoet.
Tabor trailed, 4-3, through two periods and 5-4 in the final minute before scoring a takedown with 13 seconds left in the bout.
Tabor won the semifinals with a pin of Tommy Dalton from Western Wyoming.
In the championship match, Tabor lost a major decision, 17-3, to Jahkari Clark of Indian Hills. Tabor’s three points came off three escapes. Clark scored four takedowns plus a near fall.
Tabor is the first Labette wrestler to reach the final since 2013. That year, Devin Aguirre won a national title at 165 pounds while Cody Johnson finished runner-up at 184 pounds.
Tabor’s finish is the highest placing for any Labette since 2017 when Shea Conley took third at 157 pounds.
Labette sent seven wrestlers to the national tournament in total — Aiden Cisterna (184), Jackson Martin (125), Jais Rose (165), Jordan Cullors (133), Kalvin LaPlant (157) and Tucker Collinsworth (141) all failed to place.
Indian Hills won the national title as a team, scoring 201.5 points.
Western Wyoming (188), Iowa Central (145.5), Southeast (131.5), Clackamas (128.5), North Idaho (112.5), Cowley (108.5), Northwest (84), Pratt (80.5) and Iowa Western (80) rounded out the top 10, respectively.
