The senior stood on the top level at the winner’s podium for the first time in a league tournament.

Palmer captured the Kaw Valley League title in the 145-pound division with a 9-5 decision against Lansing’s Jeff Terrill.

Palmer had a 7-5 lead heading into the third period and held on the final period for the victory. Palmer improved to 22-9 heading into regionals this weekend in Fort Scott.

“I’ve had some tough matches and that’s great, but it feels good to get a league title,” Palmer said.

Palmer and fellow seniors Ross Starcher and Hunter Samuels advanced to their respective finals, but Palmer was the only Chieftain to win a gold medal.

Samuels lost to Lansing’s Sean Flynn, 13-3, while Starcher fell to Santa Fe Trail’s Justin Wiscombe, 5-2. It was Starcher’s third loss to Wiscombe this season. In a match that was in a stalemate throughout, Starcher did avoid a pin against Wiscombe on Saturday, something he couldn’t do in the first two matches against the SFT standout.

Starcher will carry a 32-4 record into regionals on Friday.

As for Samuels, he is 24-15 after capturing a silver medal at SFT.

“I think it was the best tournament so far, hopefully not the best the rest of the year,” THS coach Jeremy Goebel said. “We’re taking our steps we just need to finish it off in the next two weeks.”

Tonganoxie finished fifth at league with 70 points. Santa Fe Trail won another league title, scoring 212. Lansing finished second with 170, while Mill Valley was right behind with 165. Bishop Ward also finished ahead of Tonganoxie with 85.

Jonathan Ferris also medaled for Tonganoxie. Ferris wrestled his way to a fourth-place finish at 140.

On Friday, Tonganoxie competed in a makeup dual with Basehor-Linwood. The Chieftains won their first dual since December with a 42-36 win against the Bobcats.

“Beau Waters and Jonathan and Jacob Ferris, we had big wins out of those guys,” Goebel said.

The THS coach also noted important wins by Cameron Adcox and Jeff Frank. In the heavyweight match, Frank pinned his Bobcat opponent and scored the decisive points in the dual win.

The Chieftains now focus on regionals Friday and Saturday at Fort Scott. Also in the regional with THS and Fort Scott are Baldwin, Basehor-Linwood, Bonner Springs, De Soto, Eudora, Anderson County, Bishop Ward, Piper, Sumner, Prairie View, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

Goebel likes his team’s chances at the Class 4A regional.

“Saturday we need some people to step up on the back side of the brackets and score some points,” Goebel said. “I think it’s an even race. Every school has about three champs at the league tournament. We have three finalists.”

Other regional sites include Colby, Concordia, and Rose Hill.

Regionals will begin Friday afternoon and conclude Saturday evening.

KVL meet results

1. Santa Fe Trail, 212; 2. Lansing, 170; 3. Mill Valley, 165; 4. Bishop Ward, 85; 5. Tonganoxie, 70; 6. Bonner Springs, 65.5; 7. Perry-Lecompton, 64; 8. Basehor-Linwood, 63; 9. Piper, 55.5.

Individual records
Beau Waters 3-15
Ryan Stockman 10-12
Jacob Ferris 5-14
Hunter Samuels 24-15
Shawn Everhart 3-12
Shane Banks 5-10
Shawn Gippner 1-5
Garrett Palmer 22-9
Jonathan Ferris 8-17
Wyatt Coffin 5-19
Ross Starcher 32-4
Josh Maxon 8-13
Cameron Adcox 8-15
Jeff Frank 10-23