Staff writer
Among numerous individual wins, Marion wrestlers defeated 15 other teams Friday at a Hesston tournament with a score of 175 team points.
“Lordy, we pinned a lot of guys, I would say at least 25, probably more like 30, but that’s just a guess,” head coach Chad Adkins said. “You can win a tournament with 120 points.”
Marion accumulated at least three bonus points per pin on top of normal scoring, and as the day went on and brackets thinned out, Marion kept winning.
Adam Janzen, Kyle Palic, and Jarrett Johnson took first in 113-, 182-, and 215-pound weight classes.
“Jarrett dominated in every way,” Adkins said. “Adam and Kyle wrestled well and led the way. Our success is going to be determined by how our young kids wrestle week-to-week.”
Adkins noted freshmen Corbin Wheeler and Tyler Palic for their aggressive and smart wrestling.
Corbin took second at 145-pounds to a senior from Stafford after winning a tough match in the semi finals, while Tyler, who wrestles at 195 despite weighing only 180 pounds, came up against a strong adversary that knocked him out of the running for first and second.
Noah Albin and Remington Putter also placed second at 126- and 160 pounds, while Bryce Shults took third at 132 pounds, and A.J. Cogdill placed fourth at 120 pounds.
“I am very proud of this group of kids,” Adkins said. “They fight hard and make the most of situations we find ourselves in.”
Adkins credited team success to hard work and conditioning.
“Our conditioning is ahead of other teams,” Adkins said. “It takes us to the third period where a lot of matches are decided.”
Wrestlers hit the mat again Friday at Marion County Wrestling Duals tournament in their only home meet of the year.
Matches start at 3 p.m. at Marion and Hillsboro.