Free State senior Tate Steele (138 pounds) tries to hold down Lawrence High senior Relle Dye on Wednesday at LHS.

Looking to complete its third consecutive season with an undefeated dual record, Free State’s wrestling team just needed to close out Wednesday’s City Showdown against Lawrence High.

Even with some extra points from open weight classes, the Firebirds left no doubt by winning the final six matches for a 62-12 victory at LHS. It’s the 31st straight dual victory for Free State and the program’s fourth win a row in the crosstown clash.

Free State sophomore Joey Eddis, ranked fifth in Class 6A at 160 pounds, started the final streak with a first-round pin against Lawrence junior Justin Miller. Next up, Gabe Smith won by a 15-4 major decision against Lawrence’s Dylan Gillespie at 170 pounds.

Feeding off of the their teammates’ energy, FSHS junior Devin Beers (182 pounds), senior Elijah Denmark (195), junior Joey Schmidtberger (220) and Xavier Fraley (285) all finished with wins via pinfall.

“When I came on, I really tried to make sure the kids understood what it meant to be a team because this has turned into an individual sport,” Free State coach Mike Gillman said. “Once the kids get that team piece where they are wrestling for each other and having a great time doing it, then they make each other better.”

Beers, who improved his record to 17-6, is more comfortable this season after growing into the 182-pound weight class. Used to wrestling undersized last year, it’s only helped him improve his technique.

“This is the first time I’ve wrestled my weight,” said Beers, ranked fifth in the state at 182. “It feels good because I’m not wrestling guys who are two times my size or grown men.”

Before closing with six straight wins, Free State picked up victories from 113-pound freshman Caleb Streeter, 126-pound sophomore Andrew Park and 138-pound senior Tate Steele.

Lawrence High coach Pat Naughton said it was “unique” watching Streeter while sitting next to his dad, Randy, who is an assistant coach at LHS. The freshman described it as “different.”

“I always wink over at Randy every once in a while when he’s wrestling because we help each other in tournaments and we’re good friends,” Gillman said.

Prior to the City Showdown dual, the Lions celebrated Senior Night for Jay Cheatham, Melle Dye, Relle Dye, Arthur Nammychai and Adonis Stanwix.

Melle Dye kept his undefeated record intact with a 9-3 decision over Elijah Jacobs at 145 pounds. In a matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked wrestlers in their weight class, Dye started clapping after a takedown in the first period. From there, he only increased his lead and remained aggressive.

It’s the second time he’s faced Jacobs this year, previously meeting in December at a tournament in Leavenworth.

“The crowd got me hyped,” said Melle Dye, who earned his first win in the City Showdown dual in his career and improved his season record to 19-0.

Lawrence High senior Melle Dye (145 pounds) works a move against Free State's Elijah Jacobs on Wednesday at LHS.

Dye said he isn’t surprised by his success after practicing throughout the summer against “guys who beat me up.”

Cheatham followed with a 6-1 victory over Free State’s Charlie Bermel at 152 pounds for his first win at home this year. Cheatham only led, 2-1, after the second period before he tightened his shots.

In the first match of the dual, freshman Logan Farrell won by pinfall in 22 seconds. The seniors gave speeches in the locker room before the dual, trying to help their underclassmen.

“For the past three years I’ve gotten injured and I’ve never been able to really finish out a season, never able to reach my full potential,” Cheatham said. “I think this year I’m working really hard to make it to state and do well at state.”

Free State 62, Lawrence High 12

Wednesday at Free State

106 — Logan Farrell (LHS) pinned Justin Thompson (FS), 0:22.

113 — Caleb Streeter (FS) pinned Zachary Razak (LHS), 2:42.

120 — Garrett Bradley (FS) def. OPEN (LHS).

126 — Andrew Park (FS) pinned Ashley Dykes (LHS), 0:22.

132 — Isaiah Jacobs (FS) def. OPEN (LHS).

138 — Tate Steele (FS) def. Relle Dye (LHS), 9-0.

145 — Melle Dye (LHS) def. Elijah Jacobs (FS), 9-3.

152 — Jay Cheatham (LHS) def. Charlie Bermel (FS), 6-1.

160 — Joey Eddis (FS) pinned Justin Miller (LHS), 1:14.

170 — Gabe Smith (FS) def. Dylan Gillespie (LHS), 15-4.

182 — Devin Beers (FS) pinned A.J. Powell (LHS), 3:34.

195 — Elijah Denmark (FS) pinned Arthur Nammychai (LHS), 0:34.

220 — Joey Schmidtberger (FS) pinned Ethan Rorabaugh (LHS), 2:30.

285 — Xavier Farley (FS) pinned Adonis Stanwix (LHS), 1:19.