Kaw Valley League wrestling notes
Basehor-Linwood High School
Coach: Scott Neil, fourth season
Assistant coaches: Art Well, Bob Ray
The Bobcats have 34 kids out including eight lettermen back from a team that finished 9-3 in duals and second in the league last season.
Nick Plesa, 119 pounds; Kevin Elder, 125 pounds; Andy Margau, 130 pounds; Buddy Bauer, 135 pounds; Matt Dukes, 140 pounds; John Eisman, 145 pounds; and Matt Lucas, 189 pounds, are the teams top returning wrestlers. Brandon Buck could emerge as a strong newcomer at 152 pounds.
Immaculata High School
Coach: Jeff Holmes, first season
Assistant coaches: Danny Wright, Eric Stark, Will Chuber
Immaculata has only 14 kids out for the team this season. Of those, six are returning starters, and eight are lettermen.
Brian Heintzelman, 103-pound sophomore, and Jon Anderson, 112-pound senior, have a chance to make an impact as newcomers.
Danny Myer, 119-pound sophomore; Brent Hodge, 125-pound junior; Brian Keeley, 130-pound sophomore; Kyle Fratzel, 135-pound senior; and Donny Kiszka, 215-pound junior, are the top returning wrestlers.
Lansing High School
Coach: Mark Blaschko, first season
Assistant coach: Monte Sheets
The Lions have 10 returning starters and 10 returning lettermen.
Newcomers include Marcus Waters, 103-pound freshman, and Kyle Oheron, 275-pound freshman.
Justin Hannon, 103-pound sophomore; Shawn Carey, 119-pound senior; Craig VanDyke, 125-pound senior; Bill Daton, 145-pound senior; Scott Carmichael, 152-pound senior Reed Brown, 160-pound senior; and Gates Brown, 171-pound senior, are the experienced returning wrestlers on the team.
Piper High School
Coach: Bob Robinson, 18th season
Assistant coach: Kerry Lacocks
Robinson returns nine lettermen from at team that finished 7-7 in duals last year. Although he has 20 kids practicing, the lack of a middle school program has hurt Piper.
“I just wish I had more bodies,” Robinson said.
Pipers top wrestlers include Jeremy Johnson, 135-pound junior; Tyler Jobe, 152-pound junior; J.P. Mullins, 160-pound senior; Jared Shearer, 189-pound senior; Zach Davies, 275-pound junior; and Frankie Losensky, 103-pound freshman.
Santa Fe Trail
Coach: Regan Erickson, third season
Assistant coaches: Ralph Guffey, Ryan Owens
The Chargers return nine starters and 11 lettermen from a team that went 9-5 in duals, won the Kaw Valley League and placed sixth at 4A state.
Erickson has 23 wrestlers out for the team including newcomers Wes Spencer, 103-pound freshman, and Cole Betsworth, 119-pound junior.
Three-time state champion Jeremy Long, a 235-pound senior, and state champ Shawn Moore, 171-pound senior, anchor a veteran group of returners that also includes Brooke Bogren, 103-pound sophomore; Cody Betsworth, 112-pound sophomore; Travis McBurney, 130-pound sophomore; Brad Bogren, 275-pound senior; Ryan Temple 160-pound junior; and Jeremy Connelly, 125-pound junior.