Wrestlers make push to end season positive

By NICHOLAS KIMBALL and RYAN RICHTER

Staff writers

With the postseason starting this week, opening with a league meet Thursday at Halstead, time isn’t on Trojan wrestling coach Scott O’Hare and his team’s side. 

They had been battling poor health and injuries for three weeks. 

That played a big factor in Hillsboro’s performance Friday and Saturday at the Circle Invitational in Towanda, where the Trojans took 16th out of 27 teams with 58 points. 

Buhler ran away with the title, beating out Council Grove 187-1321/2. 

Only four Trojans medaled, led by Anthony Fickes’ third-place finish. 

Aaron Hein finished fifth, and David Schafer and Sutton Redger each took sixth. 

”We added this tournament to our schedule several years ago to get another two-day tournament in order to get our wrestlers more mentally and physically prepared for the two day format of the state tournament,” O’Hare said. “It also allows us to see a nice mix of solid 4A, and 3-2-1A teams. Each year it seems to have quality competition at every weight and provides our wrestlers with some high level competition. 

”For the third week in a row, we competed with a small roster due to injury and illness.”

Also on deck Saturday are the 4-1A girls’ regional at Wellington. 

Marion focuses on minor fixes

Chance Shults (132 pounds) goes undefeated Friday in Onaga Friday with an impressive overtime victory in his final match.

Both Colby Lollar (138) and Jameson Looper (150) finished 2-1. Looper has been out quite a bit this season and is looking good at just the right time.

“The Warriors overall did a nice job in Onaga on Friday night,” coach Tyler McMichael said. “The ultimate goal for the next two weeks is to make minor fixes in our wrestling so that we can cut down on the little mistakes. At regionals those mistakes can mean your season is over.”

Marion will be on the road Thursday at Chase County Thursday to close out the regular season.

“Another goal is to keep everyone healthy and in the best form for regionals in a couple of weeks to give each wrestler their best chance to qualify for state,” McMichael said.