Wrestlers win first regional title
Staff writer
In a hard-fought battle, the Hillsboro High School varsity wrestlers won their first KSHSAA regional title last Saturday at Garden Plain, upsetting powerhouse Eureka 160-159 in team points. Eureka has won the title four years straight.
"This was a team effort," said Head Coach Corey Burton, "just like last week at the league meet."
"Every match counted," Burton said. "Everyone contributed, and it came down to winning by a pin or, if losing, not losing by a pin. It was that close."
It was "nip and tuck" throughout the day for Hillsboro and Eureka teams. The lead went back and forth as the championship finals continued.
"It came down to Ron's (Davis) 215-pound match," said Burton. "Eureka is a good team, but I knew we had a shot of winning."
"Ron had to pin the kid from Eureka in order for us to win the title by just one point."
And Davis delivered by pinning Eureka's Clark Neill in the championship round at :55 in the first period — sealing the first place title for the Trojans.
"This is the biggest tournament win for the team in its 10-year history and a big win for the school," Burton said.
The team had eight wrestlers advance to state, as well as three who claimed first place in his weight class.
First place champions were Bri Ratzlaff (103) with a 2-0 record, Carson Greenhaw (145) with a 3-0 record, and Davis (215) with a 3-0 record in the regional tournament.
This is Greenhaw's fourth appearance at state. It is Ratzlaff's and Davis' second.
Other team members advancing to state were Ryan Janzen (119), Danny Yoder (125), and James Bina (152) who each placed second, Wade Sorensen (189) placed third, and Billy Winegarner (160) placed fourth.
Yoder, Bina, and Sorensen have been state qualifiers twice, and this is Winegarner's first appearance.
To prepare his team for state competition, Burton said he and assistant coach O'Hare will concentrate on working on their feet and not staying on the bottom too long.
"Physically we are ready," he said. "But we will help prepare them mentally for the state meet, which is so important."
The eight state qualifiers will compete at the 1A-2A-3A State Wrestling meet Friday and Saturday at Fort Hays State University in Hays.
results
garden plains regional
Team Scores: 1. Hillsboro 160; Eureka 159; Chase County 116.5; West Elk 103.5; Marion 102.5; Remington 79; Halstead 77; Bluestem 63; Hesston 60.5; Stafford 50; Sedgwick 48; Garden Plain 46; Cherryvale 39; Flint Hills 30; Wichita Independent 13; Hutch Trinity 12; Neodesha 10; Cheney 2.
Individual Results: 103 — 1. Bri Ratzlaff (HIL), 2-0, pinned Penwell (FH) :42 first period; won 9-7 over Alford (EUR). 112 — Lance Bartel (HIL), 1-2, pinned by Heart (TRI) 1:36 first period; won 9-7 OT over Moore (CHE); pinned by Wessell (CC) 2:13 second period. 119 — 2. Ryan Janzen (HIL), 2-1, pinned Pentico (EUR) :34 first period; won 22-9 over Leis (GP); pinned by Lutes (STA) 1:10 first period. 125 — 2. Daniel Yoder (HIL), won 20-5 over Jones (BLU); won 15-9 over Coble (WE); lost 8-1 to Hearn (EUR). 130 — Wade Kimbrel (HIL), 0-2, pinned by Shields (HAL) 2:12 second period; pinned by Rader (BLU) 2:40 second period. 140 — Tim Glahn (HIL), 1-2, lost 18-2 to Kroulik (HAL); won 19-4 over Asmussen (NEO); pinned by Goff (WE) 4:32 third period. 145 — 1. Carson Greenhaw (HIL), 3-0, pinned Potts (HAL) 1:33 first period; won 15-0 over Barger (SED); pinned Sharp (MAR) 4:55 third period. 152 — 2. James Bina (HIL), 2-1, pinned Shiplet (MAR) 3:51 second period; won 7-2 over Rugner (GP); lost 12-3 to Coleman (REM). 160 — 4. Billy Winegarner (HIL), 2-2, won by injury default over Reed (EUR); pinned by Goble (REM) 3:39 second period; pinned Criger (WE) 2:45 second period; lost 9-2 to Adkins (MAR). 171 — Tracy Jost HIL), 1-2,pinned Lane (WE) 1:43 first period; pinned by Gulik (EUR) :26 first period; pinned by Gobel (REM) 1:59 second period. 189 — 3. Wade Sorensen (HIL), 3-1, pinned Wray (HES) 1:43 first period; lost 14-7 to Galvan (WE); pinned Harbaugh (CC) 2:41 second period; won 16-1 over Looper (MAR). 215 — 1. Ron Davis (HIL), 3-0, pinned Everitt (CHE) 1:48 first period; pinned Bidwell (WE) 1:30 first period; pinned Neill (EUR) :55 first period. 275 — Cody Pankratz (HIL), 0-2, pinned by Jennings (GP) :26 first period; Pinned by Fine (CHE) 2:27 second period.
