Photo courtesy Addie Larson

Baldwin KS

Coming into the 4A regional at Baldwin, only two schools in attendance were ranked in the top 10 (#5 Tonganoxie & #10 Baldwin). At the site, Tonganoxie would claim the regional championship (241points), as Holton snuck in to take the runner-up plaque (174points) while Baldwin finished third (172points). Several other area schools participated as well with Royal Valley finishing 9th (43points), Jeff West 10th (40points), Perry-Lecompton 12th (26.5points) and Atchison 14th (7points).

HOLTON – The 2023 Baldwin Regional Runner-Up was paced by eight individuals punching their ticket to state.

At 106#, Sophomore Maverick Hug went 3-1 with his lone loss coming in the championship semifinals. Hug defeated Royal Valley’s Peyton Rivera by pin to place third.

At 120#, Sophomore Lucas Batz went 3-1, pinning his way to the championship where he suffered his lone loss in sudden victory, falling by a 5-3 decision to place second.

At 126#, Senior Asher Larson went a perfect 4-0 on the day. Winning his first two matches by pin before a dominant semi finals match winning by an 18-4 major decision. In the championship bout, Larson defeated Tonganoxie’s Dax Duffett by a 9-6 decision to claim the regional title.

At 132#, Sophomore Kyler Jackson went 2-1 on the day, pinning his way to the championship bout before falling to one-loss Junior Braeden Moore of Tonganoxie to place second.

At 138#, Junior Cale Hein went 2-1 on the day, cruising to the championship bout by way of pinfall before a tough championship match against Senior Kaven Bartlett of Louisburg, falling by a 4-1 decision to place second.

At 150#, Senior Sheldon Conley went 2-2 on the day, but kept his final campaign alive with a thrilling “win and you’re in” match in the heartbreak round. Up against Perry Lecompton’s David Hays, Conley started out quick and put Hays on his back quickly, pinning him in :29 seconds to punch his first ticket to state. Conley would fall by pin in his final bout to place fourth.

At 165#, Senior Jayden Fletcher cruised his way to the finals bout against a familiar foe. Going a perfect 3-0 on the day, Fletcher matched up with Junior Colton Brusven in the finals, beating him for the second time this year, this time by a 6-2 decision to become a regional champion once again. Fletcher is the #1 ranked wrestler at 165# in 4A.

At 215#, Junior Dalton Roush completed a perfect day going 4-0. Roush dominated in the first three matches winning each by pin before the third period even got started. In the championship bout, Roush got revenge from an earlier season defeat against Tonganoxie’s Hunter Benedict. Benedict, the #2 ranked wrestler in 4A dropped the championship bout to the #5 ranked Roush by a 7-1 decision.

Although not all 13 Wildcat grapplers are headed to state, everyone chipped in to aid in Holton’s Regional Runner-Up plaque in some capacity. Junior Abbott Hundley accounted for 9 total team points while just missing the state tournament. Andrew Keithley and Cesar Sandoval also contributed 3 team points each falling one round short of a state appearance.

ROYAL VALLEY – The Panthers will send two to the state tournament next week in Salina.

At 106#, Sophomore Peyton Rivera with 2-2 on his way to a state tournament appearance, winning in the heartbreak round by way of pin before falling to Holton’s Maverick Hug to place 4th.

At 144#, Senior Quinton Nelson went 3-1 on the day, with his only loss coming in the championship semi-finals to eventual regional champion Brady Martin. In his victories, Nelson won by pin twice and a 14-1 major decision to place 3rd.

JEFF WEST – The Tigers will send two to the state tournament next week in Salina.

At 113#, Sophomore Karson Kahler went 2-2 on the day, keeping his season alive and punching his ticket to state with a hard fought 7-4 decision over Holton’s Cesar Sandoval in the heartbreak round before falling by pin in his final match of the day placing 4th.

At 190#, Senior Keaton Shelman went 2-1 with his lone loss coming in the championship finals match against one-loss Junior Jack Harvey from Baldwin by a close 3-1 decision to place second.

PERRY LECOMPTON – The Kaws fell just short of sending anyone to the state tournament this year with Sophomore Bennett Minnick, Freshman Chance Gray and Senior Brett Paramore just falling one round short of the state tournament.

ATCHISON – The Phoenix were unable to qualify anyone for the state tournament this year.

We'd like to thank our phenomenal sponsors for making today's coverage possible.

Rinkes Cattle Company of Holton - 2023 private treaty bull sale starts March 1st, call/text for details 785-845-5272.

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B&P Propane, Knotty Pine Oil and TayJay Transport – Serving you like family for over 50 years. 364-thirty seven eleven

Luke Dillon Electric LLC – Over 20 yrs experience in commercial and residential, new construction and remodels. 785-851-0785

Morton Buildings – 785-364-4177 to discover how Morton Buildings can enhance your current operation

Trails Café in Holton – Follow the trail to excellent food! Right off highway 75 in Holton, voted #1 family eatery.

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The Pines with two locations in Holton – HIRING NOW, to inquire call 364-3314

Holton Dental - Drs Alex Gilliland and Samantha Rieschick for family dental care next to Holton Hospital

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Lasting Impressions Custom embroidery, team apparel and more

Aeschilman Construction, of Holton - serving local communities for over 20 years call Mark or Dylan
Lifetime Eyecare, advanced eyecare with a hometown touch. South side of the Holton square 
Riley Electric of Holton, third generation family-owned business for residential & commercial wiring and local winco and briggs and Stratton generator dealer

Denison State Bank. Putting your interest at heart for over 120 years! Member FDIC                              

Sawyer Custom Building and Remodeling. Call Gary at 364-2425 for our next project

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Grass Roots Lawn Care – Austin and Mariah Gibson, 785-872-0118 serving northeast kansas

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Sullivan Construction – Proud to support local student athletes, 785-364-4516

Medical Pharmacy – Locally owned pharmacy with pharmacists Joe Jeff and Leslie. Proud to serve NEKS

Head2Toe Salon and Spa – Where your natural beauty is enhanced from every visit with Lindsay and Makayla

Belveal Law Office – Jason and Alex – Attorneys at Law in downtown Holton

Lovvorn Brothers Body Shop of Holton. Mike can help with your vehicle like he helps Holton wrestlers.

Gus Suarez at State Farm Insurance on highway 75 in Holton. Call Gus for an insurance quote and save!

White Law Office – Dennis and Kennedy White, attorneys at law. North side of Holton square

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Bell Plumbing, since 1968, your number one local plumber, located in Holton

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