Wildcats finish runner-up at home meet

Louisburg junior Blue Caplinger lifts up his opponent for a takedown during his 160-pound match Saturday at the Louisburg Wildcat Classic. Caplinger finished first overall and helped the Wildcats to a second-place team finish.

 

The Louisburg High School wrestling team didn’t show a lot of rust in its first action back from the holidays.

In fact, the Wildcats looked like they were in midseason form.

Louisburg put on a show in front of its home fans as the Wildcats finished second in the team standings with 209.5 points and put six wrestlers in the championship match.

Three of those won top honors as senior Thad Hendrix (106 pounds), freshman Cade Holtzen (113) and junior Blue Caplinger (160) each took first place. Junior Hunter Bindi (120), senior Ryan Adams (145) and junior Austin Moore (195) also found themselves in the first-place match, but finished second.

Tonganoxie, which is ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, edged the Wildcats for first place with 226.5 points as both teams went up against each several times throughout the day.

“We had a great day,” Louisburg coach Bobby Bovaird said. “Going into the finals, we’d held on to first place, but we just couldn’t hold off Tonganoxie. We lost to them head-to-head in two finals matches, and we dropped two matches I wasn’t expecting to lose. Still, coming out that close to the top was pretty nice.

“We had three varsity kids out — two of them with the flu. Our fill-ins at 132 and 170 were both freshmen bumping up a weight class. We were open at 138, too. Several of our upperclassmen had been sick with the flu earlier in the week, and three of my varsity guys had been with the band trip to Pasadena and only had two practices under their belts.”

Hendrix had his best tournament of the season for the Wildcats as he knocked off the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds on the way to the title at 106 pounds. The Louisburg senior had a come-from-behind 13-12 win in his third match against Tonganoxie’s Caleb Allen, in which he was down several points early.

He followed that up with a pin of Blue Valley West’s Joe McElwee in the championship match. Hendrix was behind heading into the third period, but was able to put McElwee on his back to win the title.

Holtzen continued his strong showing during his first varsity season. Holtzen, who is currently ranked No. 5 at 113 pounds in Class 4A, reeled off five straight wins on his way to the title.

The Louisburg freshman recorded four pins on the day, including a 45 second pin of Anderson County’s Ashton Miller in the first-place match.

Caplinger was able to pin his way to the championship match at 160 pounds before he went up against Baldwin’s Scott Harmon. Caplinger earned a hard fought 2-0 decision in the title match, in which he was able to hold down Harmon.

“Individually, a lot of guys really stepped up to perform,” Bovaird said. “Cade, Blue and Thad really did well, and I was pretty proud of how they wrestled. Thad had a couple come-from-behind wins against the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. Seeing him win his first championship of the season was pretty exciting.

“Cade is having an exceptional start to his freshman season, and this was his first high school varsity championship. I’m excited to see what he will accomplish this year. Blue had four pins en route to the finals, and then faced a pretty tough Baldwin kid. He wrestled as smart as I’ve ever seen him.”

The Wildcats did have some heartbreak in the championship round as they also had three losses and an injury.

Bindi had to leave his championship match at 120 pounds with an ankle injury against Leavenworth’s Hartwell Taylor and ended up finishing second. Bindi ended his day with a 4-1 record, which included four pins on the way to the title match.

Both Adams and Moore had revenge on their minds as they squared off with a pair of Tonganoxie opponents, who each handed them their only losses of the year.

Unfortunately they weren’t able to avenge them as Adams was pinned by Patterson Starcher in the first period in a match that featured the No. 2 (Starcher) and No. 3 ranked wrestlers at 145 pounds in Class 4A.

Moore, who is currently ranked No. 5 at 195 pounds in Class 4A, met No. 4 Connor Searcy in the finals and nearly got the upset. Moore fell to Searcy in overtime by a 6-4 decision.

Adams and Moore each cruised to the title match as Adams recorded three pins and a technical fall on the day, while Moore finished with four pins.

“Hunter Bindi an unfortunate accident and tweaked his ankle, but he should be okay in a couple weeks,” Bovaird said. “Ryan and Austin each had rematches against their Tonganoxie opponents. We were hoping for different results, but it didn’t work out that way. Ryan looked strong in the first period, but got caught in a scramble and his opponent took advantage of it and got the pin. Austin wrestled a smart match and kept things close, but had a little lapse that cost him in overtime.”

Seniors Kyle Allen (126) and Tucker Batten (152), along with freshman Ryan Owens (106), each took fourth place.

Allen finished the day with a 2-3 record and two pins after falling to Rockhurst’s Elijah Todd in a 7-0 decision. Batten, who moved up a weight class, was 1-3 with a pin, but was put on his back by Piper’s Brendan Martin in the third-place match.

Owens, a freshman, wrestled unattached for Louisburg and went 2-3 with a technical fall and a major decision.

“Kyle and Tucker had some tough matches throughout the day,” Bovaird said. “Kyle’s losses were all to some pretty good wrestlers. Tucker is moving up to 152 for a little bit, and he ran into some stronger kids. His last match was a rematch from earlier in the day, and it looked like he was about to get a revenge win, but got caught in the final seconds and was pinned.”

Freshman Justin Collins (132) and senior Garrett Caldwell (182) each took sixth place, while freshman Ben Wiedenmann bumped up two weight classes to wrestle at 170 pounds and took seventh. Anthony Davis (160 pounds, 8^th place), Hunter Day (285, 8^th) and Sam Kratochvil (220, 9^th) also wrestled for Louisburg.

The Wildcats return to action tonight when it travels to Gardner-Edgerton High School for a dual and then will compete Saturday in the Topeka High Invitational.

“I think we’re moving forward at a good pace,” Bovaird said. “I still need to get some things adjusted with our approach to wrestling. We still tend to revert to old habits formed in kids club, but at the high school level, lots of those things just won’t work anymore. The guys are focused, though, and they work hard at practice.

“I think that with continued application of newer techniques, intense and focused drilling, and faith in the program philosophy, we can turn the corner and head into the second part of the season with momentum.”

 

2018 LOUISBURG WILDCAT CLASSIC RESULTS

 

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Tonganoxie 226.5
2. Louisburg 209.5
3. Anderson County 186
4. Leavenworth 173
5. Baldwin 144.5
6. Pittsburg 140
7. Blue Valley West 123
8. Rockhurst 105
9. Piper 90
10. Wyandotte 47

 

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

106 pounds

Thad Hendrix (14-6) placed 1st and scored 26.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Thad Hendrix (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by major decision over Henry Ismert (Rockhurst ) 6-16 (MD 13-4)
• Round 2 – Thad Hendrix (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Blayne Anderson (Pittsburg ) 7-17 (Fall 0:44)
• Round 3 – Thad Hendrix (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by decision over Caleb Allen (Tonganoxie ) 10-8 (Dec 13-12)
• Championship Bracket – Thad Hendrix (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by decision over Ryan Owens (Louisburg ) 2-3 (Dec 1-0)
• 1st Place Match – Thad Hendrix (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Joe McElwee (Blue Valley West ) 23-9 (Fall 4:35)

106

Ryan Owens (2-3) placed 4th.

• Round 1 – Ryan Owens (Louisburg ) 2-3 won by major decision over Lucas Hopper (Baldwin ) 5-6 (MD 12-2)
• Round 2 – Joe McElwee (Blue Valley West ) 23-9 won by fall over Ryan Owens (Louisburg ) 2-3 (Fall 5:35)
• Round 3 – Ryan Owens (Louisburg ) 2-3 won by tech fall over Carter Sommer (Anderson County) 5-16 (TF-1.5 4:34 (21-5))
• Championship Bracket – Thad Hendrix (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by decision over Ryan Owens (Louisburg ) 2-3 (Dec 1-0)
• 3rd Place Match – Caleb Allen (Tonganoxie ) 10-8 won by disqualification over Ryan Owens (Louisburg ) 2-3 (DQ)

113

Cade Holtzen (19-1) placed 1st and scored 31.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Cade Holtzen (Louisburg ) 19-1 won by fall over Hunter Harris (Tonganoxie ) 7-12 (Fall 1:18)
• Round 2 – Cade Holtzen (Louisburg ) 19-1 won by fall over Nick Lawson (Piper ) 3-8 (Fall 3:04)
• Round 3 – Cade Holtzen (Louisburg ) 19-1 won by fall over Benton Flory (Baldwin ) 3-12 (Fall 2:26)
• Round 4 – Cade Holtzen (Louisburg ) 19-1 won by decision over Ashton DeMitt (Blue Valley West ) 12-16 (Dec 7-4)
• Round 5 – Cade Holtzen (Louisburg ) 19-1 won by fall over Ashton Miller (Anderson County) 10-7 (Fall 0:45)

120

Hunter Bindi (16-4) placed 2nd and scored 25.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Hunter Bindi (Louisburg ) 16-4 won by fall over Ali Hassan (Blue Valley West ) 6-21 (Fall 0:37)
• Round 2 – Hunter Bindi (Louisburg ) 16-4 won by fall over Ryland Wright (Anderson County) 15-8 (Fall 5:21)
• Round 3 – Hunter Bindi (Louisburg ) 16-4 won by fall over Fransisco Diaz (Wyandotte ) 5-4 (Fall 2:35)
• Championship Bracket – Hunter Bindi (Louisburg ) 16-4 won by fall over Tyson Lanter (Piper ) 7-4 (Fall 0:58)
• 1st Place Match – Hartwell Taylor (Leavenworth ) 16-5 won by injury default over Hunter Bindi (Louisburg ) 16-4 (Inj. 4:57)

126

Kyle Allen (11-9) placed 4th and scored 13.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Kyle Allen (Louisburg ) 11-9 won by fall over Jeremiah Blevins (Leavenworth ) 6-11 (Fall 1:35)
• Round 2 – Kyle Allen (Louisburg ) 11-9 won by fall over Cecilio Gonzalez (Wyandotte ) 0-5 (Fall 5:52)
• Round 3 – Reece Watson (Pittsburg ) 18-7 won by fall over Kyle Allen (Louisburg ) 11-9 (Fall 3:45)
• Championship Bracket – Aidan McClellan (Tonganoxie ) 16-4 won by fall over Kyle Allen (Louisburg ) 11-9 (Fall 3:21)
• 3rd Place Match – Elijah Todd (Rockhurst ) 8-9 won by decision over Kyle Allen (Louisburg ) 11-9 (Dec 7-0)

132

Justin Collins (1-3) placed 6th and scored 7.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Wil Jameson (Pittsburg ) 18-7 won by fall over Justin Collins (Louisburg ) 1-3 (Fall 3:24)
• Round 2 – Dominic Ireland (Anderson County) 8-11 won by fall over Justin Collins (Louisburg ) 1-3 (Fall 2:45)
• Round 3 – Justin Collins (Louisburg ) 1-3 received a bye () (Bye)
• Consolation Bracket – Justin Collins (Louisburg ) 1-3 won by fall over Daniel Vega (Wyandotte ) 0-10 (Fall 0:39)
• 5th Place Match – Jonathon Nunes (Leavenworth ) 10-6 won by fall over Justin Collins (Louisburg ) 1-3 (Fall 2:08)

145

Ryan Adams (13-2) placed 2nd and scored 25.50 team points.

• Round 1 – Ryan Adams (Louisburg ) 13-2 won by fall over Gavin Lang (Baldwin ) 2-3 (Fall 1:52)
• Round 2 – Ryan Adams (Louisburg ) 13-2 won by tech fall over Lane Freeman (Anderson County) 11-10 (TF-1.5 2:23 (15-0))
• Round 4 – Ryan Adams (Louisburg ) 13-2 won by fall over Judson Dull (Rockhurst ) 1-5 (Fall 0:16)
• Round 5 – Ryan Adams (Louisburg ) 13-2 won by fall over A.J. Lair (Pittsburg ) 7-3 (Fall 1:06)
• 1st Place Match – Patterson Starcher (Tonganoxie ) 17-0 won by fall over Ryan Adams (Louisburg ) 13-2 (Fall 1:34)

152

Tucker Batten (12-5) placed 4th and scored 11.00 team points.

• Round 2 – Tucker Batten (Louisburg ) 12-5 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 3 – Branden Martin (Piper ) 8-3 won by major decision over Tucker Batten (Louisburg ) 12-5 (MD 8-0)
• Quarterfinal – Tucker Batten (Louisburg ) 12-5 won by fall over Zach Schram (Blue Valley West ) 24-5 (Fall 3:29)
• Semifinal – Cole Denny (Anderson County) 17-3 won by decision over Tucker Batten (Louisburg ) 12-5 (Dec 7-1)
• 3rd Place Match – Branden Martin (Piper ) 8-3 won by fall over Tucker Batten (Louisburg ) 12-5 (Fall 5:00)

160

Anthony Davis (1-4) placed 8th.

• Round 1 – Blue Caplinger (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Anthony Davis (Louisburg ) 1-4 (Fall 1:25)
• Round 2 – Shawn Haverfield (Piper ) 6-5 won by major decision over Anthony Davis (Louisburg ) 1-4 (MD 8-0)
• Round 3 – Jake Grossner (Baldwin ) 1-4 won by decision over Anthony Davis (Louisburg ) 1-4 (Dec 1-0)
• Round 4 – Anthony Davis (Louisburg ) 1-4 won by decision over Tyler Denny (Anderson County) 1-4 (Dec 4-3)
• 7th Place Match – Ethan Staples (Tonganoxie ) 4-7 won by fall over Anthony Davis (Louisburg ) 1-4 (Fall 1:38)

160

Blue Caplinger (14-6) placed 1st and scored 30.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Blue Caplinger (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Anthony Davis (Louisburg ) 1-4 (Fall 1:25)
• Round 2 – Blue Caplinger (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Tyler Denny (Anderson County) 1-4 (Fall 3:01)
• Round 4 – Blue Caplinger (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Jake Grossner (Baldwin ) 1-4 (Fall 1:59)
• Round 5 – Blue Caplinger (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by fall over Shawn Haverfield (Piper ) 6-5 (Fall 1:50)
• 1st Place Match – Blue Caplinger (Louisburg ) 14-6 won by decision over Scott Harman (Baldwin ) 11-6 (Dec 2-0)

170

Ben Wiedenmann (4-6) placed 7th and scored 4.00 team points.

• Round 2 – Logan Allen (Anderson County) 19-2 won by major decision over Ben Wiedenmann (Louisburg ) 4-6 (MD 11-2)
• Round 3 – Dawson Ervie (Rockhurst ) 20-6 won by tech fall over Ben Wiedenmann (Louisburg ) 4-6 (TF-1.5 3:19 (17-2))
• Round 4 – Ben Wiedenmann (Louisburg ) 4-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Round 5 – Carson Lucas (Leavenworth ) 2-2 won by fall over Ben Wiedenmann (Louisburg ) 4-6 (Fall 0:41)
• 7th Place Match – Ben Wiedenmann (Louisburg ) 4-6 won by fall over Channing Massey (Pittsburg ) 2-6 (Fall 2:58)

182

Garrett Caldwell (8-12) placed 6th and scored 7.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Devin Duncan (Tonganoxie ) 17-7 won by fall over Garrett Caldwell (Louisburg ) 8-12 (Fall 1:10)
• Round 3 – Garrett Caldwell (Louisburg ) 8-12 won by fall over Jessie Stover (Pittsburg ) 7-15 (Fall 0:44)
• Round 4 – Patrick Broyles (Rockhurst ) 18-2 won by fall over Garrett Caldwell (Louisburg ) 8-12 (Fall 1:49)
• Round 5 – Sean Stewart (Piper ) 5-6 won by fall over Garrett Caldwell (Louisburg ) 8-12 (Fall 1:32)
• 5th Place Match – Chase Allen (Leavenworth ) 4-6 won by fall over Garrett Caldwell (Louisburg ) 8-12 (Fall 2:37)

195

Austin Moore (18-2) placed 2nd and scored 26.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Austin Moore (Louisburg ) 18-2 won by fall over Zach Flowers (Baldwin ) 2-3 (Fall 0:50)
• Round 2 – Austin Moore (Louisburg ) 18-2 won by fall over Joseph Broyles (Rockhurst ) 13-6 (Fall 1:24)
• Round 4 – Austin Moore (Louisburg ) 18-2 won by fall over Tyler Robinson (Leavenworth ) 9-12 (Fall 0:51)
• Round 5 – Austin Moore (Louisburg ) 18-2 won by fall over Logan Caldwell (Blue Valley West ) 14-6 (Fall 0:44)
• 1st Place Match – Connor Searcy (Tonganoxie ) 22-2 won in sudden victory – 1 over Austin Moore (Louisburg ) 18-2 (SV-1 6-4)

220

Sam Kratochvil (4-13) placed 9th and scored 1.00 team points.

• Round 1 – Etena Tuivati (Leavenworth ) 10-6 won by fall over Sam Kratochvil (Louisburg ) 4-13 (Fall 0:44)
• Round 2 – Jaiden Haynes (Blue Valley West ) 8-5 won by fall over Sam Kratochvil (Louisburg ) 4-13 (Fall 0:20)
• Round 3 – Quinn Nichols (Baldwin ) 5-14 won by fall over Sam Kratochvil (Louisburg ) 4-13 (Fall 3:36)
• Round 4 – Noah Kangas (Pittsburg ) 5-9 won by injury default over Sam Kratochvil (Louisburg ) 4-13 (Inj. 0:20)
• 9th Place Match – Sam Kratochvil (Louisburg ) 4-13 received a bye () (Bye)

285

Hunter Day (6-14) placed 8th and scored 3.00 team points.

• Round 2 – Garrett Borth (Baldwin ) 14-4 won by fall over Hunter Day (Louisburg ) 6-14 (Fall 3:33)
• Round 3 – Hunter Day (Louisburg ) 6-14 won by fall over Dameion Roark (Wyandotte ) 1-8 (Fall 3:18)
• Round 4 – Zack Kunkler (Pittsburg ) 6-9 won by fall over Hunter Day (Louisburg ) 6-14 (Fall 1:21)
• Round 5 – Bailey Vesco (Baldwin ) 3-3 won by decision over Hunter Day (Louisburg ) 6-14 (Dec 5-2)
• 7th Place Match – Jon Lampton (Rockhurst ) 9-13 won by decision over Hunter Day (Louisburg ) 6-14 (Dec 3-0)

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