Louisburg senior Sean Dennis pulls away from the field in the 110-yard hurdles Tuesday during the Leavenworth Invitational at Mill Valley High School. Dennis won the event in a personal best time of 15 seconds

SHAWNEE – It didn’t take long for Sean Dennis to pick up his first, of what he hopes to be several top finishes this season.

Dennis, who qualified for the state track meet last season in the 110-meter hurdles and 100-meter dash, blew by the field in one of those events Tuesday at the Leavenworth Invitational.

The Louisburg senior recorded a personal best time of 15 seconds in the 110-yard hurdles to win the event that was held at Mill Valley High School. The Wildcats ran on a yard track, instead of the normal meter track they will run on the rest of the season.

“It was a personal record time for Sean and he ran well even when it was not a great hurdler wind,” Louisburg boys coach Gary Griffin said. “I think he has a shot in all hurdle races he runs this year.”

The Wildcats also picked up several medals in the throws, including two from Connor McMullen.

McMullen, a senior, found himself in a battle with Leavenworth’s Willie Morrison in the discus. McMullen recorded a throw of 179 feet to start the season, but Morrison topped him with a throw of 189 to win the event.

McMullen also fared well in the shot put as he finished third with a toss of 44 feet, 10 inches. However, teammate Jarod Woodward picked a good day to set a personal best throw.

Woodward, a junior, recorded a throw of 45-9 to finish second and get his season off to a good start. Both Wildcats went up against the best in the shot in Morrison. The Leavenworth senior hit a throw of 68-2, which was the second largest mark in state history.

“I think Connor threw alright, I know he will work hard and they will probably see each other again at the KU relays,” Griffin said of the discus battle. “I was happy to get major points in the shot put and I think Jarod and Connor will continue to get better in that event. I think they can both throw over 50 feet this year.”

Louisburg freshman Bailey Belcher was third in the high jump after clearing 4 feet 8 inches.

On the girls’ side, freshman Bailey Belcher had an impressive debut in her first varsity meet. Belcher finished third in the high jump after she cleared 4-8.

Belcher also had some success as she tied for fourth in the long jump with a mark of 15-5 and also fared well on the track as she was fifth in the 100-yard dash in 12.94 seconds.

“I really feel that Bailey did a great job competing in her first track meet,” Louisburg coach Greg Darrington said. “She has the potential of placing in three or four events at our league meet, which would be a great accomplishment for a freshman. With coach (Kyle) Littrell working with her, I’m sure he will get her performing at her best that time of the year.”

The Lady Cats also earned some points in throws as Lexie Reece was seventh with a throw of 86 feet in the discus. Makayla Quinn came in sixth in the 400-yard dash in 1:06.45 and Isabelle Holtzen was seventh in 2:45.84 in the 800-yard run.

“I was very proud of our young throwers and how hard they are working to make progress,” Darrington said. “This was a tough first meet and the girls will keep improving. I really like their attitude and I am expecting good things from all the throwers. They know now what they need to improve on and can get this done at practice. The girls know that working on footwork and drill will benefit them more than just throwing implements.”

Louisburg returns to action Thursday when it travels to the Paola Invitational. The meet is set to being at 3:30 p.m.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Full results from the meet were not made available at the time of his story’s release as the school was not given final times and distances. Should I get full results I will add them to the story at a later date)

The Louisburg High School golf team will have five seniors on the roster along with plenty of underclassmen with experience this season. The Wildcats open their season Monday when they travel to Gardner.

Photo courtesy of Expressions Midwest

Just looking at the roster, the Louisburg golf team features one with a lot of experience.

There are five seniors listed competing for the six varsity spots along with a few underclassmen. However, three of those seniors weren’t a part of last season’s team.

Senior newcomers Mesa Ribordy, T.J. Smith and Brady Lambeth will hit the links for the first time in a Wildcat uniform and will join veterans Nathan Moore and Logan Glenn when Louisburg opens its season next week.

“They are all very athletic and listen well to instructions,” Louisburg coach Brian Burns said. “All of these guys are competing for the six varsity spots every week.”

Joining the five seniors will be some seasoned underclassmen. Juniors Hogan Welch and T.J. Svoboda, along with sophomore Nick Welch, all saw varsity time last season.

Hogan Welch was one of the Wildcats’ top golfers in 2014 as he missed the state tournament by just two strokes. He also finished fifth in the Frontier League tournament.

Burns believes Hogan and his other golfers have a chance to do some good things this season.

“My expectations are for all of the varsity golfers to shoot around an average of 86,” Burns said. “All of the varsity golfers have all aspects of the game, if they can just omit that one bad hole on the front and back nines.”

The good weather has also allowed the Wildcats to spend a lot of time on the course, which has helped to sharpen their game.

“Practices have been up and down with scores,” Burns said. “However, (Monday) was a good day for all of the varsity players. Hopefully they can keep that focus from here to the finish. They are starting to get more comfortable with their short game, which is helping.”

Louisburg opens its season at 9 a.m. on Monday when it travels to the Gardner Invitational.

LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL GOLF SCHEDULE

Apr. 6                                          @ Gardner                                                       9 a.m.

Apr. 13                                        @ Paola                                                            3 p.m.

Apr. 14                                        @ Gardner (Junior Varsity)                           3 p.m.

Apr. 20                                        @ Anderson County (JV)                          2 p.m.

Apr. 21                                        @ Osawatomie                                               1 p.m.

Apr. 27                                        Louisburg Invitational                                    1 p.m.

Apr. 28                                        @Shawnee Golf Course (League)            8 a.m.

May 4                                         @ Ottawa                                                        2 p.m.

May 6                                         @ Osawatomie (JV)                                       3 p.m.

May 11                                       @ Ottawa (JV)                                                 3 p.m.

May 12                                       @ Anderson County                                       1 p.m.

May 12                                       @ Paola (JV)                                                    3 p.m.

May 14                                       @ Prairie View (Linn Valley)                         1:30 p.m.

May 18                                       @ Regionals (@Osawatomie)                      TBA

Junior Miranda White hits the ball off the tee during batting practice last week. White is one of four returning players from last season’s state tournament team.

It was a memorable run last season for the Louisburg softball team as it reached new heights in the program.

The Lady Cats ventured to the state tournament and placed for the first time in school history after knocking off unbeaten Paola to win the regional crown. If Louisburg wants history to repeat itself, it will be asking a new group of players to take a big step forward.

Louisburg lost five starters from its fourth-place state team and will see a new look on the mound, behind the plate and an almost-new infield.

“I am looking for a lot of young kids to step up to the plate this year,” Louisburg coach Kristi Weers said. “We are a young team but they have been working hard and are determined.”

The Lady Cats have three underclassmen returning, including sophomore Allyssa Griggs, who will take the mound this year. Griggs started at different times as a freshman, including one game in the state tournament, but will be asked to carry the load this season.

Louisburg’s Cierra Rose underhands the ball to Blair Vohs as they turned a double play during practice. The Lady Cats open their season today in Paola.

Griggs will be throwing to a new catcher in Emalee Overbay. The Louisburg sophomore started several games as a freshman, but worked mainly in the outfield.

Overbay, who was an all-Frontier League selection a year ago, is one of the team’s top returning hitters.

Junior Miranda White, another returning all-league selection, will lead an outfield group in centerfield. White will also be a fixture in the middle of the Lady Cat lineup with Overbay.

Fellow junior Christina Dalrymple will look to provide some leadership as she returns from last season’s state team as well.

Louisburg opens its season today when it travels to Paola for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

“First game on the season, Paola is always a great team,” Weers said. “With that being said, we will go out and play the best we know how and hopefully pick up a couple of wins.”

LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

Apr. 2                           @ Paola                              4:30 p.m.

Apr. 7                           @ Fort Scott                      4:30 p.m.

Apr. 9                           Prairie View                       4:30 p.m.

Apr. 14                         Eudora                                4:30 p.m.

Apr. 21                         @ Baldwin                          4:30 p.m.

Apr. 23                         @Osawatomie                  4:30 p.m.

Apr. 28                         De Soto                               4:30 p.m.

Apr. 30                         Chanute                              4:30 p.m.

May 5                          Ottawa                               4:30 p.m.

May 11                        @ Spring Hill                      4:30 p.m.

Unfortunately for last season’s version of the Louisburg baseball team, the Wildcats spent a lot of time cutting their teeth in what was one of the toughest leagues in Class 4A.

Two Frontier League members battled it out for the Class 4A-Division I state crown, while Louisburg finished with five wins with what was a young, inexperienced group.

This season, the Wildcats hope to dish out some lumps instead of taking them.

Louisburg returns nine players that saw significant varsity time a year ago and the Wildcats have plenty of depth behind them. They have seven pitchers who will see time on the mound this season and return several position players as well.

“Going into last season, with no seniors and a very young team, we knew that we might take our lumps at times,” Louisburg coach Jeff Lohse said. “We are expecting to be much improved from last season with the leadership we have and all the experience coming back.”

That leadership starts on the mound with senior Lucas Smith as he was the Wildcats’ top hurler last season and an honorable mention all-Frontier League player. Smith will look to lead a group of young and experienced pitchers. Including the junior varsity program, Louisburg will have 17 to 18 different pitchers who will have the opportunity to see time.

“There are several underclassmen who have a bright future on the mound if they continue to work hard and get better,” Lohse said. “Lucas will be our No. 1 again this year and after him we have a bunch of players who could fill the rotation. I don’t think we will be real overpowering, by any means, but all these guys will throw strikes and compete.”

Louisburg senior Lucas Smith is the Wildcats’ top returning pitcher this season. Smith was an honorable mention all-league selection as season ago.

Along with Smith, the Wildcats will feature several pitchers that all saw varsity time on the mound to go along with one newcomer. Grant Harding, Cole Kramer, Colton Smith, Matt Risenhoover and Ethan Caldwell will fill out the Wildcat rotation along with freshman Dalton Stone.

In the field, juniors Alex Dunn and Kramer will provide solid defense up the middle. Dunn, who was an honorable mention all-league catcher a year ago, will handle the pitching staff.

Kramer, on the other hand, will man centerfield when he is not on the mound. He also was an honorable mention all-league outfielder last season.

Also returning for the Wildcats is second baseman Mitchell Caldwell and Austin Henderson will be back at first base after missing half of the season last year with an injury. Lucas Smith and Risenhoover will share the shortstop position.

Colton Smith and Stone will alternate at third base, while Harding and Ethan Caldwell will play in the outfield. Korbin Hankinson, Blake Ruder and Mitchell Drew will also provide some depth off the bench.

Although the Wildcats have several returning players, their schedule will present a tough challenge just like a year ago. A schedule that includes state champion De Soto and runner-up Paola.

“Our league is a very good baseball league as well,” Lohse said. “My expectations are to go out and compete while giving ourselves a chance to win.  We have got to do the little things to manufacture runs and be very solid pitching and defensively.”

Louisburg will get its season started Thursday when it travels to Paola. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m.

LOUSBURG HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCHEDULE

Apr. 2                           @ Paola                              4:30 p.m.

Apr. 7                           @ Fort Scott                      4:30 p.m.

Apr. 9                           Prairie View                       4:30 p.m.

Apr. 14                         Eudora                                4:30 p.m.

Apr. 21                         @ Baldwin                          4:30 p.m.

Apr. 23                         @Osawatomie                  4:30 p.m.

Apr. 28                         De Soto                               4:30 p.m.

Apr. 30                         Chanute                              4:30 p.m.

May 5                          Ottawa                               4:30 p.m.

May 11                        @ Spring Hill                      4:30 p.m.

Louisburg Middle School eighth-grader Bret Minor captured his first kids state wrestling title Sunday at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka. Minor, who wrestles in the 14-and-under, 90-pound division, finished with a 4-0 record.

TOPEKA – Bret Minor has made so many trips to the Kansas Kids State Folkstyle Championships he is running out of fingers to count them on.

This season was Minor’s ninth time advancing to the state tournament in Topeka, and as it turns out, it was his most memorable one.

Minor, an eighth-grader at Louisburg Middle School, won the 14-and-under 90-pound state crown Sunday at the Kansas Expocentre with a 4-0 record wrestling for Slyterdome. He has now earned state medals for every place in his near-decade long state tournament career.

The Louisburg Kids Wrestling Club also had a strong showing at the state tournament last weekend as the Wildcats placed four of their 15 participants. Ashton Moore (8-and-under, 80 pounds), Harrison Kalinka (10-U, 90) and Mason Koechner (high school, 220) all medaled fourth place. Brandon Doles (10-U, 110) came in fifth overall.

Two other Louisburg Middle School students also participated in the state tournament. Eighth-grader Hunter Bindi (14-U, 85), who wrestles for Heartland Youth, medaled third. Sixth-grader Cade Holtzen finished with a 1-2 record with Olathe Southside.

As for Minor, he was basically untouchable through much of the tournament. He opened action Saturday with an 11-0 major decision of Larned’s Kristopher Nolde and recorded a 15-0 technical fall over Jackson County’s Kolby Roush in the quarterfinals.

Minor then followed that up with a 10-0 major decision over East Kansas’ Larry Gulley. Then in the championship match, Minor defeated Freddy Maisberger of the Thunderbirds by a 7-0 decision.

Bindi hoped to join his classmate in the championship round, but came up one victory shy. Bindi won his first two matches of the tournament, but fell in the semifinals. He responded to pin Rose Hill’s Kyle Sackett in the consolation semifinals and then won a tough 2-0 decision over Lucas Glover of the Kansas Young Guns.

LWKC’s Moore, Kalinka, Koechner and Doles also had strong outings. Moore, Doles and Koechner each finished the day with 4-2 records and Kalinka was 3-2.

Moore had to wrestle on the backside of the bracket most of the tournament after losing his first match. He responded to record four straight victories, including a 3-1 decision over Pratt’s Damien Quint in the consolation semifinals to put him in the third-place match, where he would fall to Dodge City’s Holden Kite.

Kalinka won his first two matches of the tournament on pins over Hutchinson’s Karsen Scheuler and Pittsburg’s Matthew Smith. After a loss in the semis, Kalinka pinned Jace High in the consolation semifinals before losing a tough 2-0 decision of Team Lightning’s Sam Elliott.

In the high school division, Koechner was busy wrestling six matches. Koechner opened with a 4-2 decision of Colyn Gugelman of Colby, but lost a 14-9 decision to Burlington’s Nathan Vander Linden in the quarterfinals.

Koechner responded with three straight victories, including two pins that put him in the third-place match. He lost by a 7-3 decision to Corey Atkins of the Kansas Young Guns to take fourth.

Doles got his tournament started with a pin in just 28 seconds before falling to Caden Ross of the Young Guns in the quarterfinals. Doles battled back to capture a 9-1 major decision over Great Bend’s Breanna Ridgeway and a 4-1 decision against Ulysses’ Justin Degollado.

After falling in the consolation semis, Doles bounced back to win the fifth-place match by a 4-0 decision over Clay County’s JW Jackson.

Also participating in the state tournament for the Louisburg Kids Club was Tyson Blancarte (2-2 record, 8-and-under, 46 pounds), Kaden Allen (2-2, 8-U, 52), Jay McCaskill (0-2, 8-U, 64), Brayden Yoder (0-2, 8-U, 67), Gage Gilliland (0-2, 8-U, 73), Ryan Owens (1-2, 12-U, 68), Brayden Dame (1-2, 12-U, 92), Blue Caplinger (0-2, 14-U, 135), Austin Moore (2-2, 14-U, 145), Nathan Keegan (2-2, high school, 120) and Ryan Adams (1-2, high school, 145).

Wildcat sprinters (from left) Mason Wilde, Ben Minster and Ashley Ruder get some work in during Monday’s practice at Wildcat Stadium. Louisburg track opens its season Tuesday in Leavenworth.

There is nothing Connor McMullen likes more than throwing the discus and he does it pretty well.

McMullen, who finished second at the state track and field meet last season, has even higher goals for himself this season. The Louisburg High School senior would like nothing more than to be the school’s next state champion.

He is already well on his way to doing that as he competed in a meet in Dallas, Texas, over spring break and won with a throw of 180 feet, 1 inch. McMullen, who has signed to throw the discus for the University of Kansas next year, is one of the favorites to win state in Class 4A.

McMullen won’t just compete in the discus this season for Louisburg track as he will also be one of the team’s best in the shot put.

“I think Connor should be the favorite in the disc in 4A,” Louisburg boys track coach Gary Griffin said. “He already won a meet in Texas over spring break and threw 180 feet. I would love to see him break the 50-foot barrier in the shot and score some points in the state track meet in that event.”

McMullen is one of several returning state qualifiers for the Wildcat track teams that feature several underclassmen. The boys team has approximately 50 out this season, while the girls feature 30 athletes.

On the boys’ side, senior Sean Dennis returns after qualifying for state in two different events a year ago. Dennis made the state meet in the 110-meter high hurdles and the 100-meter dash.

Senior Sean Dennis works on his form in the hurdles. Dennis is a returning state qualifier in the hurdles and 100-meter dash.

Joining Dennis are fellow seniors Mason Wilde and Dawson Christy who have also qualified for state in previous relays and both will help out in the relays again. According to Griffin, Christy will compete in the 400-meter dash and Wilde will also compete in the sprints.

“Sean had a good year last year and came into this season in good shape,” Griffin said. “Mason and Dawson have also qualified for state and I am expecting good things from them.”

Outside of McMullen, junior Parker Cates leads the Wildcats in the field events after qualifying for state in the pole vault last season.

“We are in the process of sorting out our jumpers and throwers, but hope some of our younger kids can step up in those events,” Griffin said. “We have 30 freshmen and sophomores and some are talented enough to help us at the varsity level.”

On the girls’ side, the Lady Cats return two groups of state qualifiers.

Senior Ashley Ruder, juniors Makenzie Kallevig and Megan Lemke, and sophomore Kaitlyn Gaza return after qualifying in the 4×100-meter relay a year ago. All four will also compete individually in the sprints.

“So far the practices have been going great,” Louisburg girls coach Greg Darrington said. “We have 30 girls out for track and almost all freshman and sophomores. I really like how hard the girls are working and their athleticism. We are really young and could struggle early in the year but we have some strong sprinters and jumpers this year to help carry us.”

In the field events, junior McKinley Mathews comes back after a strong sophomore season that led her to advancing to the state meet in the pole vault. Darrington also expects freshman Bailey Belcher to make her mark in the jumps.

“Bailey is someone who could do great things for us in the jumps,” Darrington said. “Our strength will be on the track this year and think our girls have a lot of potential for a few years to come if I can get the throwers competitive. The throwers are still young with no upper-class athletes but plenty of potential with some young girls. I think by the end of the year we should be competitive in all three throwing events.”

The Wildcats won’t have to wait much longer to compete as they travel to the Leavenworth Invitational at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Louisburg will also hold its home invitational on April 23.

LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL TRACK SCHEDULE

Mar. 31                       @Leavenworth                                               3:30 p.m.

Apr. 6                           @ Prairie View (Junior Varsity)                4:30 p.m.

Apr. 9                           @ Paola                                                           3:30 p.m.

Apr. 13                         @ Chanute (Junior Varsity)                        3 p.m.

Apr. 16                         @Anderson County-Garnett                       3:30 p.m.

Apr. 20                         @Paola (Junior Varsity)                              3:30 p.m.

Apr. 23                         Louisburg Invitational                                  3:30 p.m.

Apr. 30                         @Prairie View                                                3:30 p.m.

May 1                          @Gardner                                                          3:30 p.m.

May 8                          @Wellsville                                                      3:30 p.m.

May 12                        @Eudora (Junior Varsity)                             4 p.m.

May 14                        @Baldwin (Frontier League meet)              3:30 p.m.

May 22                        @Regionals                                                      TBA

May 29                        @State (Wichita State University)              TBA

Louisburg seniors (from left) Nathan Moore, Corbin Wertz and Brady Lambeth were honored, along with the rest of their teammates, during the Wildcats’ postseason basketball banquet Thursday at Louisburg High School.

It wasn’t an easy time for the Louisburg boys basketball team this season, but that didn’t mean the Wildcats didn’t have their successes and good memories.

Those were all shared Thursday during the team’s annual postseason banquet at Louisburg High School. Louisburg finished with a 6-15 record on the season, but head coach Jason Nelson knew his team was better than its overall mark.

“I think there was probably six games or so this year where we were leading in the fourth quarter and we ended up losing,” Nelson said. “Whether it was injuries or whatever, we just couldn’t win those games. As the year went on, we kept getting better and we won a couple of those games late in the year.”

Nelson pointed to the fact that his team had to play with a lot of youth on his side as the varsity roster featured up to seven sophomores and only three seniors. Corbin Wertz, Brady Lambeth and Nathan Moore provided that senior leadership throughout the season, while Wertz, the team’s leading scorer, was out a few weeks with an injury and others had to pick up the slack.

However, Nelson knows his three seniors are key for his program, even though their Wildcat playing days are over.

“They displayed to this group of underclassmen what it takes to lead and the kind of character you need to have,” Nelson said. “This senior group is so special to me and was one of the reasons I took the job a couple years ago. They did everything we asked of them and more. I will definitely miss them.”

Two Wildcats were recognized for their postseason accolades on the all-Frontier League team

Wertz earned second team all-league honors while sophomore Grant Harding found his way on the team for the first time as he was awarded an honorable mention spot.

Wertz averaged 17.2 points a game to go along with 6.3 rebounds and four assists. Harding averaged 11.1 points a game to go along with nine rebounds. He also averaged one block.

Nelson also announced his varsity letterwinners for the season. The winners are:

Seniors: Corbin Wertz, Nathan Moore and Brady Lambeth

Juniors: Mitchell McLellan and Jacob Welsh

Sophomores: T.J. Dover, Jayce Geiman, Sam Guetterman, Korbin Hankinson, Grant Harding and Jake Hill

Louisburg seniors (from left) Kallie O’Keefe, Natalie Moore and Kirstin Lowry were all smiles Wednesday during the team’s postseason awards banquet at Louisburg High School. All three players were recognized for their postseason honors

It was a bittersweet moment for the Louisburg girls basketball team Wednesday when it held its annual postseason banquet at Louisburg High School.

The team came together to relive some good memories from its 11-11 season and talk about the improvement the Lady Cats made from the start of the season till the end. However, it also meant saying goodbye to a few players.

Seniors Natalie Moore, Kirstin Lowry and Kallie O’Keefe were recognized for their achievements, not only this season, but for what they have accomplished in their four years. This season, the Lady Cats won their home invitational and advanced to the substate championship game for the second straight year.

“They have shown these younger kids what the expectations of this program are,” Louisburg coach Shawn Lowry said. “They have shown them how to lead, the character we expect and how to play. They will all three be missed.”

Coach Lowry revealed all of the postseason honors to his team, in which all of them went to the three seniors.

Moore was named first team all-Frontier League, was second team all-state in Class 4A by Sports I Kansas. She also received honorable mention all-state honors from The Wichita Eagle and The Topeka Capital-Journal.

She was also the Co-Player of the Year and first team on the Tri-County Spotlight squad. She finished her career with 898 points.

Moore averaged 17.4 points a game and also made a living at the free-throw line. Moore had 204 free-throw attempts on the season and made 73 percent.

She also averaged 5.5 rebounds a game to go along with 4.6 assists. She had 27 steals on the year and shot 44 percent from the floor.

Kirstin Lowry was also honored as she was a second team all-Frontier League and was also second team Tri-County Spotlight. Lowry was second on the team in scoring at nine points a game and shot better than 40 percent from behind the 3-point line.

O’Keefe, who averaged eight points and seven rebounds a game, also earned second team all-Tri County Spotlight.

Members of the Lady Cats who earned varsity letters are:

Seniors: Natalie Moore, Kirstin Lowry and Kallie O’Keefe

Juniors: Megan Lemke

Sophomores: Zoie Gilliland, Paige Buffington, Emalee Overbay and Madisen Simpson

Freshman: Isabelle Holtzen and Sarah Wilson

Brenton Wrigley shakes hands with head coach Bobby Bovaird upon receiving the Wrestler of the Year award Tuesday during the team’s postseason banquet at Louisburg High School.

Their season might have ended on the state wrestling mats in Salina, but members of the Louisburg wrestling team got a chance to reflect on what was a positive season for the Wildcats.

During Tuesday’s end of the season banquet, coach Bobby Bovaird talked about a season in which the Wildcats ended a two-year drought and qualified five for the state tournament. Brenton Wrigley, Anders Vance, Mason Koechner, Ryan Adams and Nathan Keegan all made their first trip to state.

The Wildcats also had four wrestlers who had won at least 30 matches and six program records fell. As a team, Louisburg finished in the top three at five tournaments and had a 12-5 dual record.

“The last few years have been humbling,” Bovaird said during the banquet. “But I knew that with patience, dedication and hard work we would be able to bring Louisburg back to the point where we are a competitive program. And here we are.”

The Louisburg High School wrestling team gathers together for one final picture after their postseason banquet Tuesday.

Two Wildcats also were recognized for their work in the classroom. Seniors Wrigley and Zach Knox were each awarded honorable mention Academic All-State by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

Wrigley, who finished with a 35-9 record and a state qualifying bid at 195 pounds, took the highest honor as he was named Louisburg’s Wrestler of the Year. The coaches also gave out 22 letters and several other honors.

The awards given out are:

Varsity letterwinners

Seniors: Zach Knox, Nephi Rodriguez, Billy Rose and Brenton Wrigley

Juniors: Jordan Crowder, Jimmy Dolan, Zach Jones, Dillin Roberts, Bradley Trageser, Chris Turner and Anders Vance

Sophomores: David Bindi, Connor Green, Ben Hupp, Nathan Keegan, Mason Koechner, Dylan Meyer and Lyndon Smith

Freshman: Ryan Adams, Kyle Allen, Tucker Batten and Thad Hendrix

Team awards

Wrestler of the Year: Brenton Wrigley

Wildcat of the Year: Nathan Keegan

Workhorse Award: Anders Vance

Newcomer of the Year: Ryan Adams

JV Wrestler of the Year: Bradley Trageser

Highest team GPA: Austin Raetzel

30-match winners

Nathan Keegan (30-19), Ryan Adams (37-12), Brenton Wrigley (35-9) and Mason Koechner (39-14)

Records

Zach Knox: Career Nearfall-2 (28); Career Reversals (38); Career Escapes (77)

Ryan Adams: Season Nearfall-2 (19); Season Reversals (25)

Mason Koechner: Season Pins (33)

Tri-County Spotlight 

First team: Nathan Keegan (113 pounds); Ryan Adams (138); Mason Koechner (220); Anders Vance (285)

Second team: Brenton Wrigley (195)

Honorable mention: Zach Knox (132)

Louisburg’s Mason Koechner works for a pin during the USAWKS District 1 wrestling tournament Saturday at Blue Valley Southwest High School. The Louisburg Kids Wrestling Club set a record with 15 state qualifiers Saturday.

Photo courtesy of Penny McCaskill

OVERLAND PARK – The Louisburg Kids Wrestling Club (LKWC) made sure it was going to be well-represented at the upcoming state tournament.

At the USAWKS District 1 tournament Saturday, the Wildcats qualified 15 of their 20 wrestlers for state and put nine in the championship finals, including four champions. Louisburg finished with a 44-29 overall record and had 19 pins at Blue Valley Southwest High School.

The 15 state qualifiers is also a LKWC record and gives the Wildcats nice boost heading into this weekend’s state tournament in Topeka.

Tyson Blancarte (8-and-under, 46 pounds), Brandon Doles (10-U, 110), Brayden Dame (12-U, 92) and Ryan Adams (high school, 145) all earned district titles.

Brayden Yoder (8-U, 67), Ashton Moore (8-U, 80), Harrison Kalinka (10-U, 90), Blue Caplinger (14-U, 135) and Nathan Keegan (high school, 120) finished runner-up to earn state bids.

Jay McCaskill (8-U, 64) and Mason Koechner (high school, 220) finished third overall. Kaden Allen (8-U, 52), Gage Gilliland (8-U, 73), Ryan Owens (12-U, 68) and Austin Moore (14-U, 145) came in fourth to also qualify for state.

Blancarte, who already won a state title in the 6-and-under division, recorded three first period pins to cruise his way to a district crown.

Doles also picked up three wins at 110 pounds. His opening match of the day was his toughest as he won a 2-0 decision over Leavenworth County’s Gabriel Bailey and then pinned Ottawa’s Andrew Spangler early in the second period in round two. In his final match of the day, Doles defeated Tonganoxie’s Conner Cole by a 7-0 decision to get his district title.

Dame opened his quest for a district championship with an 8-1 decision over Atchison’s Jayden Watkins in the quarterfinals. He then pinned Bonner Springs’ Anthony Ferguson in the semifinals before defeating Paola’s Noah Bowden 6-2 in the championship match.

Coming off a state tournament appearance during the high school season, Adams picked up right where he left off as he pinned De Soto’s Michael Lynn in 54 seconds and then followed it up with an 11-0 major decision against Spencer Fortney of the Junior Vikings.

Adams squared off with Osawatomie’s Brendon Chrisjohn in the championship and left with an 11-2 major decision.

Yoder, Moore, Kalinka and Keegan each finished the day with a pin, while Koechner ended the tournament with two pins.

The Wildcats will now prepare for the two-day state folkstyle tournament beginning Saturday at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka.