Grapplers take second place in first tourney
Tonganoxie wrestlers again opened the season with a tournament in Atchison and found themselves in the same spot — second.
But this year, they weren’t alone.
The dual format tournament featured round-robin competitions in two pools. But the pool winners didn’t battle for the overall title.
Teams competed in five duals in pool play, which is the maximum allowed for a single day, according to Kansas State High School Activities Association rules.
So, the Chieftains settled for a 4-1 record Saturday, narrowly losing only to Atchison County (Effingham), 40-36.
The Chieftains might have claimed that victory as well, but THS had an open class in the 103 division, giving Atchison County an automatic six points.
Dec. 12 at Eudora Tournament 4 p.m.
Dec. 13 at Eudora Tournament 9 a.m.
Dec. 18 at Piper 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 8 TONGANOXIE (dual) 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 at Salina South Tournament 9 a.m.
Jan. 12 TONGANOXIE (dual) 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 TONGANOXIE INVITE 9 a.m.
Jan. 24 at Holton Invitational 9:30 a.m.
Jan. 31 at Baldwin Invitational 9 a.m.
Feb. 5 at Bonner Springs 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 KVL Meet at Bonner Springs 10 a.m.
Feb. 20 Regionals TBA
Feb. 21 Regionals TBA
Feb. 27 State in Wichita TBA
Feb. 28 State in Wichita TBA
In their other matches, Tonganoxie defeated Basehor-Linwood, Wellsville-Horton, Pleasant Ridge and Oskaloosa.
Tonganoxie also had four wrestlers go undefeated on the day — Hunter Samuels, Garrett Palmer, Aaron Adcox and Ross Starcher. Adcox went 5-0 on the day with 17 takedowns in four matches — the fifth was a win by default.
THS assistant coach Scott Underwood was pleased with Tonganoxie’s effort Saturday, including Alan Athon’s victory against Atchison County. Athon was down 6-0 late in the third period, but he registered a pin in the closing seconds.
“That was pretty impressive,” Athon said.
The Chieftains didn’t face rival and host school Atchison High. The Redmen were placed in the other pool.
“We were really building up against them,” Underwood said. “We were wanting to dual against them again.”
Tonganoxie will be back on the mats Friday and Saturday with a bigger tournament in Eudora. The invitational will include a field of more than 20 teams and could pit Tonganoxie against former coach Bill DeWitt, who now is at Eudora.
Underwood said the Chieftains were in good shape in Atchison and hopes the same is true this week.
“I honestly can say this weekend we were in better shape than anyone else this week,” Underwood said.