Full 2015 Big Seven League Tournament Results (at Sabetha) - click here

It was a two horse race between Sabetha and Holton on Saturday as both teams jockeyed for position at the top of the standings. With the Big 7 Tournament title at stake, it was a tight battle in the finals. Sabetha led by six points going into the 170-pound weight class. The championship match pitted Mason Baum of Holton against Brandon Poe of Sabetha. Both wrestlers were ranked sixth in the state at their respective classifications; Baum at 4A and Poe at 321A. With the League title on the line for both the wrestlers and their teams, it was a match the whole gym was excited to watch.  It was as close on the mat as it was on paper. Poe ended up pulling out the victory 3-2.

“It felt great,” said Poe, junior at Sabetha. “I waited five years to beat that kid and I knew it was the last time I’d get to wrestle him. Knowing that, I gave it all I had.”

Poe wasn’t the only one excited about the win, though. His coach knew Brandon had it in him and said his teammates looked to Poe as a leader. 

“Brandon has always been one of our leaders all year,” said Kevin Kretz, Sabetha head coach. “He had a tough match against Marysville on Thursday and he bounced back well here today.”

The win gave Sabetha the breathing room they needed before cruising to a 17 point team victory, 196 to Holton’s 179. The Wildcats finished another 26 points ahead of third place Jeff West.

“It was the first time since 2007, so it was a big win for our team,” said Poe. “Beating a team as good as Holton gives us confidence for next week.”

Next Friday and Saturday the Bluejays and the other league teams will head to their respective regional meets to try and qualify for State. Sabetha will head to 321A regional in St. Mary’s along with ACCHS, Hiawatha and Riverside in the Big 7. Holton, Royal Valley, Jeff West and Perry-Lecompton will head to Baldwin for their 4A regional. 

“We’re peaking at the right time,” said Kretz. “We had a good dual on Thursday with ACCHS and Marysville and we’re ready for Regionals next week.

All eight teams are looking to get wrestlers to the ultimate tournament at state the following week. 4A State will be at Salina and 321A State will be in Hays.

2015 League Tournament Results by Weight Class 

106:

Championship-Karl Scholz, Holton def. Damon Bamfield, Hiawatha Fall 5:44

Consolation- Lucas Hollman, Jeff West def. Ethan Ashley, Royal Valley Dec 7-4

113:

Championship- Seth Harrell, Sabetha def. Austin Michaelis, Jeff West Fall 1:55

Consolation- Coultor Bisel, Holton def. Austin Hagar, ACCHS Fall 0:40

120:

Championship-Hunter Ostertag, ACCHS def. Brandon Brownlee, Sabetha TF 17-0

Consolation- Kody Gibson, Jeff West def. Joel Guess, Perry-Lecompton Fall 1:50

126:

Championship- Scott Resler, Riverside def. Trei Harrell, Sabetha Dec 6-3

Consolation- Brandan Callahan, Jeff West def. Lance Bailey, Royal Valley Fall 3:35

132:

Championship-Justin Pool, Holton def. Zack Lux, Royal Valley Fall 1:35

Consolation-Ryan Wisner, Jeff West def. Peyton Kahle, PL TB-1 5-3

138:

Championship- Tyler Price, Holton def. Nate Niehues, Sabetha Fall 0:54

Consolation- Jerry Coan, RV def. Nick Hager, ACCHS Fall 2:28

145:

Championship- Justin Rieschick, Holton def. Noah Hart, RV Maj 13-5

Consolation- Matthew Burdick, Sabetha def. Nathan Taylor, Jeff West Fall 0:45

152:

Championship- Nicholas Reeb, Jeff West def. Trey Haverkamp, Holton Dec 8-6

Consolation- Kyler Krebs, Sabetha def. Dylan Birkinsha ACCHS Dec 4-1

160:

Championship- Lucas Lovvorn, Holton def. Austin Garber, Sabetha Fall 1:36

Consolation- Chase Montgomery, Jeff West def. Jacob MacKnight, Riverside Fall 2:17

170:

Championship- Brandon Poe, Sabetha def. Mason Baum, Holton Dec 3-2

Consolation- Joey Landwehr, ACCHS def. Garrett Rodewald, Royal Valley, RV Fall 4:57

182:

Championship- Dillion Weaver, ACCHS def. Jacob Box, RV Fall 1:21

Consolation- Kaid Allen, Sabetha def. Kyler Tannahill, Holton Dec 12-9

195:

Championship- Sam Shenk, Jeff West def. Braxton Goacher, Riverside Fall 3:32

Consolation- Blake Garrison, RV def. Blane Rokey, Sabetha Fall 4:55

220:

Championship- Taylor Meyer, Sabetha def. Bratten Forbes, ACCHS Dec 6-4

Consolation- Nathan Shields, Holton def. Keenan Hinton, Hiawatha Fall 1:34

285:

Championship- Jacob Leuthold, Sabetha def. Kegan Meister, Holton Fall 3:24

Consolation- Michael Majors, Jeff West def. Joey Simpson, Hiawatha Fall 3:24