Free State senior Elijah Denmark tries to gain control of his match against Olathe South's Kolby Murphy during the Firebirds double dual against the Falcons and Olathe Northwest on Thursday at FSHS.

Back at the Class 6A state tournament for the second consecutive season, Free State sophomore Lou Fincher is feeling much more confident.

Fincher, who has a 17-4 record at 106 pounds, knows the importance of his first match, trying to avoid battling his way to the medal podium through the consolation bracket. Plus, he knows what to expect from the large crowd.

Nine wrestlers from Free State qualified for the 6A state tournament, which begins at 10 a.m. today at Hartman Arena in Park City. Lawrence High will send four wrestlers to state.

“I feel more confident than I did as a freshman because I’m bigger and stronger,” said Fincher, who placed fourth in his regional tournament. He finished one match away from placing at state last season.

After competing at their regional– “the toughest we’ve had at Free State,” coach Mike Gillman said — the Firebirds have high hopes that they can finish as a top-five team in the state.

Lawrence's Relle Dye holds onto Eudora’s Cael Lynch during a dual at Eudora.

Elijah Denmark, a 195-pound senior, said the regional tournament boosted his confidence after he took fourth. He will be wrestling at state for the second straight season.

“I’m just going to approach it like any other tournament,” Denmark said. “I’m a pretty level-headed guy when it comes to this sport. I don’t get super amped up. So I’m going to approach it like anything else.”

Gillman is confident that all of his wrestlers have the potential to earn a spot on the medal podium. That includes senior Isaiah Jacobs, who battled an injury at regionals and took eighth place at 132 pounds. Jacobs will enter state with 21-9 record but he will face a regional champion in the first round.

“Isaiah can beat anybody on any given day so that’s exciting about that matchup,” Gillman said.

LHS sends 4 to state

Lawrence High seniors Melle and Relle Dye have both qualified for the state tournament during their high school careers, but they are looking to earn a spot on the medal podium for the first time.

The Dye brothers are confident that they can use their experience to their advantage. Melle Dye was runner-up at 145 pounds in the team’s regional and Relle Dye was second at 138 pounds.

“I think (experience) helps a lot, especially going through matches and getting ready for matches,” said Relle Dye, who enters state with an 18-8 record. “Just watching and getting a feel for it, not getting nervous in front of a big crowd.”

Along with Dye brothers, 106-pound freshman Logan Farrell and 182-pound junior A.J. Powell are first time state qualifiers. Farrell will enter state with a 25-13 record and Powell owns an 11-14 mark.

“You can throw seeds out the window because every match is going to be a tough match, no matter where you’re at,” LHS coach Pat Naughton said.

Melle Dye, who has a 22-2 record, was consistently ranked among the top wrestlers in his weight class throughout the season.

“I’m not only trying to place,” Melle Dye said. “I’m trying to win the thing this year.”