photo by: Mike Yoder

The Journal-World's 2017-18 All-Area wrestling team, from left: Scott Harman, Baldwin; Gad Huseman, Tonganoxie; Justin Hand, Tonganoxie; Patterson Starcher, Tonganoxie; Wrestler of the Year Korbin Riedel, Tonganoxie; Coach of the Year Mike Gillman, Free State; Elijah Denmark, Free State; Relle Dye, Lawrence; Elijah Kennedy, Eudora; Thad Metcalfe, Perry-Lecompton. Not pictured: Elijah Jacobs, Free State; Melle Dye, Lawrence.

Wrestler of the Year: Korbin Riedel, Tonganoxie

Medaling at the Class 4A state tournament, Riedel finished runner-up at 138 pounds for his highest finish in his high school career. The Chieftains’ junior won regional and Kaw Valley League titles, matching his school record with 43 wins this season. In the team standings, he led Tonganoxie to second place in its regional and fourth at state.

Coach of the Year: Mike Gillman, Free State

Voted as the Sunflower League’s Coach of the Year by fellow coaches, Gillman led the Firebirds to second place in the league meet, matching their highest placing in the last decade. Free State placed 15th at the Class 6A state meet.

First team

Elijah Denmark, Free State — Consistent all season, the 195-pound Denmark was rewarded with a 32-12 record and a third-place finish at the Class 6A state tournament. The senior was crowned champion at the Sunflower League tournament and medaled at state for the first time.

Melle Dye, Lawrence — Undefeated for his first 20 matches of the year, the Lions’ senior continued to break through with the best season of his career. At 145 pounds, Dye was fourth at the Class 6A state meet and runner-up at his regional with a 25-4 record.

Relle Dye, Lawrence — Making smart shots to win matches, Dye ended the year with a 22-9 record after placing third at the Class 6A state tournament. The 138-pound senior was runner-up in his regional and led the Lions to 19th place at state.

Justin Hand, Tonganoxie — Competing at 170 pounds, Hand placed second at the Class 4A state tournament. Ending his senior season with a 37-9 record, Hand was runner-up in his regional and third in the Kaw Valley League.

Scott Harman, Baldwin — The 160-pound senior won Frontier League and regional championships, earning a spot in the Class 4A state tournament. Harman posted a 35-16 record and a team-high 16 pins, ending his high school career with 97 wins.

Gad Huseman, Tonganoxie — A winner in his first 24 matches, Huseman took fourth in the Class 4A state meet at 152 pounds. The senior ended the season with a 32-3 record, taking runner-up in the Kaw Valley League tournament and winning a regional title.

Elijah Jacobs, Free State — Finishing the season with a 35-11 record, the 145-pound Jacobs was fifth at the 6A state tournament. The Firebirds’ junior placed second at regionals and second at the Sunflower League tournament.

Elijah Kennedy, Eudora — A champion in the Frontier League tournament, Kennedy placed fourth at the Class 4A state tournament at 160 pounds. Finishing the season with a 37-8 record, the Cardinals’ senior was third at his regional.

Thad Metcalfe, Perry-Lecompton — The 126-pound freshman was third at the Big 7 League tournament and third at his regional to earn a spot at the Class 3-2-1A state tournament in his first varsity season. Metcalfe finished the year with a 27-14 record and 10 pins.

Patterson Starcher, Tonganoxie — Starcher helped the Chieftains to fourth place in the team standings at the Class 4A state tournament, the highest finish in school history. At 145 pounds, the senior won a regional title and was sixth at state.

Honorable mention

Hagan Andrews, Eudora; Devin Beers, Free State; Kyle Bonham, Perry-Lecompton; Garrett Borth, Baldwin; Devin Duncan, Tonganoxie; Joey Eddis, Free State; Logan Farrell, Lawrence; Lou Fincher, Free State; Cy Hockey, Baldwin; Isaiah Jacobs, Free State; Connor Searcy, Tonganoxie; Tate Steele, Free State; Caleb Streeter, Free State; Braden Woodson, Perry-Lecompton.