Concordia High School Wrestling Team Ends Year with Two State Medalists
The Concordia High School Wrestling team wrapped up its 2022-2023 season on Saturday, February 25th with two state medalists at the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 4A State Wrestling Tournament at the Tony's Pizza Event Center in Salina.
Seniors Koby Tyler and Daniel Vines both brought home 5th place medals. Vines ends his career as a two-time state medalist.
In addition to Tyler and Vines, Senior Michael Ashland, Juniors Christian Belden and Caleb Hanson, and Sophomore Tracer Murdock qualified for the state competition.
106 lbs. - Junior Christian Belden
Belden, a two-time state qualifier, started the tournament Friday, February 24th by dropping a 6-3 decision to Mulvane Sophomore Koehn Dietrich. Belden was able to bounce back in the consolation first round Friday afternoon, notching a second period fall over Royal Valley Sophomore Peyton Rivera. In the consolation wrestlebacks on Saturday, Belden won a 9-6 decision over Frontenac Freshman Kyle Sloan. But in the consolation quarterfinals, Belden suffered a first period fall to Independence Junior Mason Gibbons in his final match of the tournament. Belden concludes the season at 26-7.
120 lbs. - Senior Koby Tyler - 5th Place
Tyler opened the state tournament Friday, February 24th with an 11-0 major decision over Ulysses Sophomore Roman Romero in his first round bout. Tyler then won by a technical fall over Holton Sophomore Lucas Batz in the championship quarterfinals.
In the championship semifinals Friday night, Tyler dropped a tight 5-4 decision to Winfield Sophomore Owen Suttles. Tyler then fell in another close contest in the consolation semifinals, losing a 7-5 decision to Paola Sophomore Kaiden Powell.
In a rematch against Batz in the 5th place contest, Tyler scored a 10-0 major decision. Tyler closes out his senior campaign with a 37-5 record.
132 lbs. - Senior Daniel Vines - 5th Place
Vines, a returning state medalist, scored a 10-7 decision in his first-round match over Paola Sophomore Hagen Blanck. Vines followed that win up by posting a 5-2 decision over Ulysses Freshman Jaxsen Salinas in the championship quarterfinals.
Vines closed out the first day of the state tournament on Friday by losing to Independence Junior Kohen Wright by a 5-2 decision.
On Saturday, Vines lost a 1-0 decision against Augusta Senior Kalvin LaPlant in the consolation semifinals, but was able to conclude the weekend with a win, recording a 3-1 sudden victory over Holcomb Junior Gregery Martinez in the 5th place match. Vines finishes out his senior season at 41-7.
175 lbs. - Junior Caleb Hanson
Hanson, appearing in his first career state tournament, captured a third period fall over Louisburg Sophomore Ashton Moore in his first round contest on Friday. Hanson then suffered a loss by a 4-1 decision to Winfield Senior Kody Brenn in the championship quarterfinals. Dropping to the consolation wrestlebacks on Saturday, Hanson's season came to an end when he lost a 4-1 decision to Wellington Senior David Signs. Hanson ends the year at 30-12 overall.
190 lbs. - Sophomore Tracer Murdock
Murdock, competing in his first career state tournament, dropped two matches at the state tournament on Friday, losing his first-round match to Ottawa Sophomore Seth Ferguson by a 6-2 decision, before falling in a 5-1 decision to El Dorado Senior Collin Scott. Murdock finishes the year at 26-15 overall.
285 lbs. - Senior Michael Ashland
Ashland closed out his high school career at the state meet by dropping two matches on Friday. Ashland first fell by a first period pin to Rose Hill Sophomore Milan Colvin in his initial match at the tournament. He then lost by a first period fall to Topeka-Hayden Sophomore Hunter Diederich in the consolation first round. Ashland ends his senior season at 22-16.