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Grapplers preparing for SFT

By Shawn Linenberger - | Dec 18, 2002

Tonganoxie High’s weeklong wrestling excursion ended Saturday.

The Chieftains’ ride became a little bumpy toward the end, but THS managed four dual wins and a third-place tournament finish.

Competing Dec. 10 in Chapman, Thursday in Hiawatha and Saturday in Sabetha, the Chieftains scaled northeast and northcentral Kansas for much of last week.

THS defeated Chapman (39-29), Hays-Thomas More Prep (46-30), Royal Valley (51-22) and Hiawatha (42-28) in dual competition to improve its record to 9-1. As for the Sabetha Tri-State Tournament on Saturday, the Chieftains were again denied a first-place trophy. Tonganoxie finished third with 127 behind Sabetha (149) and tournament champion Auburn, Neb. (168).

“The kids’ intensity is there, we’ve just got to take baby steps,” said THS coach Jeremy Goebel. “We’re gradually getting better. That road trip with three in a week, that’s something new for the kids.”

Tonganoxie had one first-place finisher in Sabetha, as Ross Starcher continued his hot start to the season. The sophomore is now 11-0 on the season. In his first match of the season, he registered a pin with 52 seconds left in the second period. Since then, he’s used as little as 15 seconds to pin an opponent. Tonganoxie had plenty of second-place finishes, with Hunter Samuels (119), Chad Starcher (140), Chuck Riddle (215) and Andrew Miller (275) all taking home silver medals.

At 119, Shawn Everhart took third in his class. Everhart is 6-4 on the season so far.

“He’s come a long way,” Goebel said.

Freshman Aaron Adcox, who beat out senior state qualifier James Hartshorn in practice before last week’s competition, took fourth in the tournament. Hartshorn (4-1) has regained his 152-pound spot from Adcox (5-3) for duals Thursday.

Garrett Palmer also took fourth in the 130-pound division, but with 35 takedowns already this season, he needs just 20 to tie the school record.

“That’s our philosophy,” Goebel said. “I think on our feet we’re excellent. It wins a lot of matches.”

Before winter break starts, the Chieftains have one last competition. Dates with Piper and powerhouse Santa Fe Trail greet the Chieftains on Thursday.

Goebel hopes the Chieftains can get a breakthrough victory against the Chargers.

“I don’t think Tonganoxie’s ever beaten Santa Fe Trail,” Goebel said. “It’s our only home dual and the seniors’ only home dual this year. Let’s send them out on the right note and pack the house.”

The wrestling dual begins at 5:30 p.m. in the THS gymnasium.

Wrestling records

112 Hunter Samuels 9-2
119 Shawn Everhart 6-4
125 Corey Doughty 8-5
130 Garrett Palmer 9-4
135 Ross Starcher 11-0
140 Chad Starcher 10-2
152 Jerry Hartshorn 3-10
152 Alan Athon 2-4
160 Brian Price 0-5
171 Matt Weyer 6-3
189 James Hartshorn 4-1
189 Aaron Adcox 5-3
215 Chuck Riddle 9-2
275 Andrew Miller 7-4