High School Lowdown – State Wrestling Preview

The city of Topeka will send a strong contingent of wrestlers to the upcoming State Championships this weekend. Thirty-eight grapplers from the capital city will compete in the 6A, 5A, and 4A classes. The 6A and 5A events will be held at Hartman Arena in Park City, while 4A competes in Salina at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center.

Washburn Rural set a school record by sending 13 qualified wrestlers to state in 6A. Among those qualified include two wrestlers ranked #1 in their weight classes – defending state champion Bishop Murray at 106 and Preston Williams at 195.

Seaman sent 11 wrestlers to the 5A tournament, while Shawnee Heights qualified eight. The Vikings are led by senior heavyweight Jared Kerr, while the T-Bird squad is led by four-time state qualifier Freddy Maisberger IV, who finished third at regionals at 113 pounds.

Highland Park qualified three wrestlers for the state tournament, including regional runner up Kenny Hartzell at 170 pounds. Keegan Miller and Javier Osorio will also represent the Scots at 5A state. “They have all wrestled very well the last few weeks,” Highland Park head wrestling coach Freddy Maisberger told WIBW News Now. “I look forward for them to have a good state tournament, and if all works out, take a position on the awards stand. I am real proud of their accomplishments up to this point, and I am sure they are just as proud. It will be a tough road for them, but I believe they are up for the challenge.”

Topeka High, Topeka West, and Hayden each qualified one wrestler.

We spoke to the head coaches from Washburn Rural, Shawnee Heights and Seaman about their strong showings at regionals and their goals for the state championships. Click below to hear each coach.

Patrick Kelly, Seaman

Chad Parks, Shawnee Heights

Damon Parker, Washburn Rural

State Qualifiers (records in parentheses)

6A

106 – Bishop Murray, so., Washburn Rural (35-0)

113 – Caleb Douglas, jr., Washburn Rural (28-9)

120 – Bowan Murray, so., Washburn Rural (24-13)

126 – Gavin Collins, jr., Washburn Rural (19-9)

132 – Nick Vincent, fr., Washburn Rural (17-10)

138 – John Vincent, jr., Washburn Rural (20-13)

145 – Cole Wells, jr., Washburn Rural (9-5)

152 – Dalton Sparling, sr., Washburn Rural (14-7)

160 – Jake Brunton, sr., Washburn Rural (22-17)

170 – Caeman Blake, jr. Topeka High (20-13)

182 – Gavin Carter, jr. Washburn Rural (23-6)

195 – Preston Williams, sr., Washburn Rural (28-2)

220 – Caden Cress, sr., Washburn Rural (23-9)

285 – David Huckstep, so., Washburn Rural (33-9)

5A

106 – Austin Lady, jr., Seaman (21-18); Brock Ferguson, fr., Shawnee Heights (33-8)

113 – Javier Osorio, jr., Highland Park (24-13); Chandler Buessing, so. Seaman (19-10); Freddy Maisberger IV, sr., Shawnee Heights (33-3)

120 – Kyle Adams, so. Seaman (10-4); Decker Stickelman, so., Shawnee Heights (18-15)

126 – Cameron Smith, jr., Seaman (22-18)

138 – Caden Walker, fr., Shawnee Heights (33-4)

145 – Cadin Worcester, so., Seaman (13-7); Cade Wathke, sr., Shawnee Heights (34-3)

152 – Keegan Miller, sr., Highland Park (19-17); Baily Meredith, jr., Seaman (15-21);

160 – Dylan Williams, jr. Seaman (22-8); Alex Walker, sr., Shawnee Heights (27-7); Joe Randles, jr., Topeka West (23-6)

170 – Kenny Hartzell, sr., Highland Park (25-7); Evan Scragg, fr., Seaman (10-15); Zack Gonzalez, jr., Shawnee Heights (11-8)

182 – Blake Smith, jr., Seaman (21-21)

220 – Ezra Shove, jr., Seaman (14-21); Zyree White, sr., Shawnee Heights (22-11)

285 – Jared Kerr, sr., Seaman (31-14)

4A

182 – Will Devader, so., Hayden (22-4)