The Class 3-2-1A state-wrestling tournament marked a possible sign of good things to come as well as a frustrating ending for the Warrior wrestling team.

Just qualifying for the meat-grinder at Hays is a stiff enough challenge alone, much less earning a medal.

Despite all three competitors being eliminated early Saturday, the Warriors’ sophomore duo of Forest Slater and Todd Palic got state tournament experience under their belts to build on for next year.

The Warriors finished 44th out of 69 schools during Friday and Saturday’s tournament at Fort Hays State, scoring 9 points.

For the first time in 19 years, the state champion is not from the north half of Kansas with Eureka beating out Colby for the title, 113-95.

Palic went 1-2 and Slater was unable to compete, forfeiting both matches.

Saturday marked a sad farewell for Charlie Nordquist.

Fresh off a first-place victory a week earlier at the Fredonia regional and after taking fourth a year ago, Nordquist couldn’t improve in his last go-round.

After spending much of the year ranked in the state’s top-6, Nordquist’s late-season struggle returned at an inopportune time, closing out a stellar career with a 2-2 finish.