Frank leads deep Firebirds

Lawrence High hopes to improve during season

It’s fasting time.

Or, as it’s known around the Frank household, wrestling season.

Free State High senior Kyle Frank is no different than most wrestlers. He’s trying to drop 20 pounds to 171 so he can compete in the Firebirds’ opener this Saturday at the Ark City Invitational.

And, like most wrestlers, Frank admits it’s just part of the sport.

“It’s a lot of running,” he said. “I run three, four times a day. I run in the morning, I run during weights, I run after I get home.”

As for holiday meals, he’ll try to lose a few extra pounds so he can indulge on turkey and mashed potatoes.

And, if things work out, he’ll feast on opponents.

Frank is among a talented group of Firebirds who are trying to establish themselves among the state’s best. Seniors Matt Somers (119 pounds), Nick McGovern (189), Grant Steinbach (215) and Brett Shoffner (152) are all possible Class 6A state medalists. Somers, third at 119 last year and ranked fifth heading into the season by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assn., and Frank, third at 171 and ranked fourth, the defending Sunflower League champ, are already at that point. McGovern, ranked fourth, is the only other ranked Firebird.

Other guys to watch for include Adam Berg (130), Josh Sanderson (145), sophomore heavyweight Ray Walker and junior Jeremy Bustamante, who could push Steinbach and Walker for varsity matches.

That’s if the Firebirds emerge from a brutal schedule.

“Talk about a tough schedule,” FSHS coach Darrell Andrew said. “This is the toughest we’ve ever had – though you can blame me.”

Lawrence High senior Aaron Madill, left, and Free State High senior Kyle Frank hope to lead their respective wrestling squads this season.

Start with the Ark City Invitational. The host team is a perennial 5A power, Wichita West won the 2001 6A state title, Maize, two Oklahoma schools and a team from Arlington, Texas, make the tournament an eye-opener.

From there, two more tournaments before Christmas should be warm-ups for three two-day tournaments in January. The Derby Invite, the Basehor-Linwood Invite and the Blue Valley Northwest Invite could be three of the nastiest tournaments all season. That’s along with the Sunflower League and Junction City Invite.

Ouch.

“Two things could happen,” Andrew said. “By the time we get through it we could have kids beat up and hurt, which we don’t want to happen, or by the time state rolls around it’s going to help them immensely.”

Lawrence High

With a new coach, an inexperienced roster and a couple of returning state qualifiers, Lawrence High expects to improve during the year :quot; but expect a couple of wrestlers to be standouts all season, starting with Saturday’s opener at the Shawnee Mission East Invitational.

If coach Mark Dulgarian can elicit strong performances from his novices, the Lions could be in good shape.

“We’re sparse down on the middle, and we need people up on the top,” Dulgarian said. “But if I can get people out, keep people happy and have the numbers up, that’s the name of the game.”

Senior heavyweight Kenny Poeverlein, who was fifth at the Class 6A state meet last year, enters the season ranked fourth by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assn.

Senior Chris Hultine, who won the regional title last year at 145 pounds, will probably wrestle at 152 to start the season. He’ll likely work his way back down to 145.

And senior Aaron Madill, the Sunflower League champ at 160 pounds last year, enters this season ranked sixth. He’s already jelled with new coach Dulgarian, which could result in Madill becoming one of the state’s best.

Dulgarian, who coached in Fort Scott the past 10 years, mostly teaches throws. Why? A throw can usually put a wrestler on their back – which leads to more pins and more wins.

Of course, that applies to the guys that are still learning. With a guy like Madill, Dulgarian isn’t altering anything.

“Aaron Madill is a shooter, and I’m not going to change that. But I’m a thrower. I like to use throws to get pins,” Dulgarian said. “I’ll show him a little wrinkle or two, but I’m not going to change his strength.”

Madill, who’s been working with Dulgarian since September, has grown fond of the new coach and the added work he’s put in.

“I like him a lot,” he said. “Some of the things he’s taught me have already begun to pay off.”

That’s about all Dulgarian needs to hear. After coaching at Fort Scott middle school the last five years, he has sunk his teeth into the Lions’ varsity program. Call it a wrestler’s love for the sport.

“I can’t speak for them, but it’s exciting to me primarily because I’m coaching varsity wrestling again,” he said.