All Area wrestling team members are pictured from left: Thad Metcalfe, Perry-Lecompton, Collin Rossillion, Perry-Lecompton, Cy Hockey, Baldwin, Kevin Honas, Lawrence, EJ Jewsome, Lawrence, coach of the year Mike Gillman, Free State, Elijah Jacobs, Free State, Lou Fincher, Free State, Connor Searcy, Tonganoxie, wrestler of the year Korbin Riedel, Tonganoxie, Grayson Sonntag, Tonganoxie, Hagan Andrews, Eudora.

Wrestler of the Year: Korbin Riedel, Tonganoxie

It was a memorable year for Riedel in his final year with the Tonganoxie wrestling team. Riedel went 42-0 en route to winning a state title in the 152-pound weight class, setting a school record for career victories with a 164-21 clip. Riedel became the first state champion in program history as well.

Coach of the Year: Mike Gillman, Free State

The Firebirds had three wrestlers place at the 6A state tournament, including their second individual state champion in program history. It marked the highest number of placers for Free State at the state tournament, which led FSHS to its highest finish (eighth) in school history.

First team

Hagan Andrews, Eudora — In his final season with the Cardinals, Andrews won enough matches to earn a trip to the 4A state wrestling tournament. Andrew posted a 29-8 record in the 132-pound weight class. Andrews notched a regional title as well.

Lou Fincher, Free State — The first Firebird to place at the 6A state wrestling meet was Fincher, who netted his first such medal of his career. Fincher finished third in the 126-pound weight class, polishing off a 35-6 record on the year.

Cy Hockey, Baldwin — The team captain led the Bulldogs in falls, takedowns and escapes on his way to qualifying for the 4A state wrestling tournament. Hockey, a senior, posted a 27-10 record in the 182-pound weight class. He recorded 18 wins via fall, and was named to the All-Frontier League first team.

Kevin Honas, Lawrence — In his first season, Honas hit the ground running for Lawrence High. Honas posted a 37-12 record for the 106-pound weight class, notching a fifth-place finish at the 6A state tournament and winning a Sunflower League title. Honas won 17 matches by fall this season.

Elijah Jacobs, Free State — Winning a state title was always the goal for Jacobs after placing fifth in last year’s state meet. Jacobs, who went 27-4 on the year, secured a state crown in the 145-pound weight class, which marked the second time in program history that the Firebirds have had an individual champion.

EJ Jewsome, Lawrence — Entering his final season, Jewsome had just nine career matches on his resume. Jewsome ended up claiming a runner-up finish in the 285-pound weight class in 6A during his last season with the Lions. Jewsome, who was a Sunflower League champion, logged a 34-11 record this year for LHS.

Thad Metcalfe, Perry-Lecompton — For the second time in as many seasons, Metcalfe qualified for the state wrestling meet. The sophomore was a Big 7 League champion and regional runner-up, placing at an addition five tournaments this season. Metcalfe finished with a 25-11 record in the 138-pound weight class, recording 14 falls in the process.

Collin Rossillon, Perry-Lecompton — The Perry-Lecompton senior was a pinning machine in the 285-pound weight class. Rossillon racked up 20 pins, finishing with 54 in his four-year career. This year, Rossillon went 21-4 and ended up qualifying for the 3A state wrestling meet for the second year in a row.

Connor Searcy, Tonganoxie — Not long after Riedel became the first school champion in program history, Searcy joined his teammate with a state title in the 195-pound weight class. Searcy, a junior, went 28-2 this year and has a strong shot at netting even more hardware next season.

Grayson Sonntag, Tonganoxie — Although it wasn’t a state title like his two THS teammates, Sonntag secured a medal in his first trip to the state wrestling meet. Sonntag placed third in the 106-pound weight class. As a freshman, Sonntag set a school record for wins with a 43-5 record this season.

Honorable mention

Devin Beers, Free State; Josh Broyles, Baldwin; Logan Farrell, Lawrence; Lucas Hopper, Baldwin; Cael Lynch, Eudora; Hayden Robb, Perry-Lecompton; Grant Roush, Perry-Lecompton; Toby Thomas, Baldwin.