The Journal-World’s 2016-17 All-Area wrestling team, from left, Elijah Kennedy, Eudora; Gad Huseman, Tonganoxie; Korbin Riedel, Tonganoxie; Caden Searcy, Tonganoxie; Coach of the Year Ross Starcher, Tonganoxie; Wrestler of the Year Levi Green, Baldwin; Santino Gee, Lawrence; Tate Steele, Free State; Gage Foster, Free State.

Wrestler of the Year: Levi Green, Baldwin

For the second time in his four-year career, Green medaled at the Class 4A state tournament when he placed third at 138 pounds. A two-time Frontier League champion, Green ended his senior season with a 47-5 record and finished eighth on the school’s all-time wins list (131). Green signed to wrestle at Baker University.

Coach of the Year: Ross Starcher, Tonganoxie

It was a banner year for the Chieftains, who sent a school-record 10 wrestlers to the Class 4A state tournament. Tonganoxie, which placed 12th at state and tied a school record with three state medalists, won a regional championship and tied for first in the Kaw Valley League.

First team

Gage Foster, Free State — A junior at 170 pounds, Foster won a regional championship and placed sixth at the Class 6A state tournament, the second straight season he’s earned a medal at state. Foster was third in the Sunflower League and ended the season with a 28-8 record.

Santino Gee, Lawrence — A newcomer to wrestling in high school, Gee placed second at 170 pounds at the Class 6A state tournament. The senior with a unique wrestling style finished fourth at regionals and ended the season with a 35-7 record, winning two regular season tournament titles.

Gad Huseman, Tonganoxie — The Kaw Valley League champion at 138 pounds, Huseman followed with a regional title and took fourth place at the Class 4A state tournament. Huseman completed his junior season with a 42-4 record, helping the Chieftains to their best placing at state (12th) since 2014.

Isaiah Jacobs, Free State — For the second straight season, Jacobs placed fifth at the Class 6A state tournament. The junior at 132 pounds, who posted a 29-9 record, was second in the Sunflower League and sixth at regionals. He helped the Firebirds to an undefeated record in duals.

Elijah Kennedy, Eudora — Kennedy won a Frontier League title at 145 pounds, winning four of his five matches by pinfall. The junior followed by placing third at regionals and sixth at the Class 4A state tournament. The three-time state qualifier finished the season with a 24-9 record.

Korbin Riedel, Tonganoxie — The 132-pound sophomore finished fourth at the Class 4A state tournament, ending the season with a 36-8 record. Riedel was runner-up at regionals and the Kaw Valley League tournament, and he helped the Chieftains to an 11-2 record in duals.

Caden Searcy, Tonganoxie — In a tough weight class (152 pounds), Searcy took fifth place at the Class 4A state tournament. Searcy, a junior who finished the season with a 35-12 record, was fourth in the Kaw Valley League and placed third at his team’s regional tournament.

Tate Steele, Free State — Dealing with injuries for part of the season, Steele took fourth place at the Class 6A state tournament at 138 pounds. A regional runner-up, the junior won four regular season tournaments and finished with a 30-3 record. He’s medaled at state in each of the last three seasons.

Torin Van Nest, Perry-Lecompton — A team captain for the past three seasons, the senior 152-pounder advanced to the Class 3-2-1A state tournament after finishing runner-up at his regional. Van Nest placed second in the Big Seven League and finished with a 28-7 record.

Tucker Wilson, Lawrence — Wilson ended the season on the medal podium, placing fifth at 182 pounds at the Class 6A state tournament, his first year as a state medalist. The senior Sunflower League champion won two regular season tournaments and was runner-up at his regional.

Honorable mention

Hagan Andrews, Eudora; Ja’Melle Dye, Lawrence; Ja’Relle Dye, Lawrence; Lou Fincher, Free State; Justin Hand, Tonganoxie; Scott Harman, Baldwin; TJ Hopper, Baldwin; Bennett King, Free State; Cody Knight, Tonganoxie; Aidan McClellan, Tonganoxie; Patterson Starcher, Tonganoxie; Braden Woodson, Perry-Lecompton.