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By Shawn Linenberger - | Feb 8, 2015

The Tonganoxie High wrestling team will be riding some momentum into the Kaw Valley League tournament Feb. 14 in its home gymnasium.

The Chieftains won a dual meet against state-ranked Bonner Springs, 38-36, Thursday at BSHS.

Each team won four matches, as the Braves had two pins, a decision and a major decision. THS had two pins, a technical fall and a decision in winning the dual by just two points. Bonner Springs’ 120-pound wrestlers also did not compete Thursday.

THS coach Ross Starcher was proud of his team’s effort.

“It’s a big confidence builder as a team to go out and compete against a tough team like Bonner and pull out a close victory,” Starcher said.

He said it was a “great experience for our young lineup to feel the atmosphere and intensity that Bonner provided for a dual setting.”

It will be more of the same in the coming weeks as the Chieftains look to be wrestling their best as the postseason draws near.

THS will host the KVL meet Saturday and then head to a Class 4A regional Feb. 20 and 21 in Baldwin City. Qualifiers will advance to the state tournament Feb. 27 and 28 in Salina.

Starcher said Thursday’s effort should pay dividends in the coming weeks.

“It helped put the team aspect of wrestling in perspective and let them know how important the little details are in every match,” Starcher said. “I was very proud of how our guys stepped up their game and performed.”

Bonner Springs and Tonganoxie’s youth wrestling clubs competed against each other in advance of the high school dual, which THS assistant coach Scott Underwood said both levels of competition provided a good atmosphere.

Individual records

Marcus Barnes, 7-13; Dalton Bock, 2-4; Connor Brown, 2-4; Trevor Burns, 7-8; Cameron Cash, 11-10; Sam Coffin, 8-3; Holden DeGraff, 14-6; Andrew Dent, 12-7; Devin Duncan, 14-4; Justin Hand, 14-8; Asher Huseman, 26-7; Gad Huseman, 23-9; Zeb Huseman, 7-14; Matt Johnson, 6-9; Cody Knight, 9-20; George Lang, 3-1; Garrett Martin, 22-14; Aidan McClellan, 13-12; Caden Searcy, 14-12; Patterson Starcher, 27-9; Dalton Tavis, 19-6; Dylan Tavis, 3-6; Cole Waters, 3-5; Jay Willcutt, 9-2; Brandon Williams, 7-8; Brayden Woods, 3-5.