photo by: Courtesy photo

Free State's Nolan Bradley attempts to pin his Holton opponent during a match in the 106-pound weight class on Thursday at Holton on Dec. 3, 2020.

Free State’s wrestling program took care of business on the road, earning a 53-18 win over Holton on Thursday. The Firebirds now have three victories within the first two days of the 2020-21 campaign under first-year head coach Randy Streeter.

The Firebirds only dropped three matches in the varsity boys action at Holton. Nolan Bradley (106-pound weight class), Caleb Streeter (138-pound weight class) and Austin Burenheide (182-pound weight class) all won their respective matches via pin.

Eric Streeter, Zack Shepley and Matthew Marcum all won matches by a decision for Free State. Ezra Birdashaw also secured a victory with a major decision in the 120-pound weight class. FSHS picked up three more wins by forfeit due to an opening in Holton’s lineup.

On the same night, Free State won all four of its matches in varsity girls action. Madyson Gray, who is a defending state champion and ranked No. 9 in the nation, pinned both of her opponents. Gray has now won all four of her matches to start the season, including two victories over boy wrestlers.

Free State’s Clare Benton also notched a pair of victories via pin in as many matches in her first action of the season.

photo by: Courtesy photo

Free State’s Eric Streeter attempts to pin his Holton opponent during a match in the 113-pound weight class on Thursday at Holton on Dec. 3, 2020.

Free State 53 Holton 18

106: Nolan Bradley (FS) pinned Tucker Gilliland (HL)

113: Eric Streeter (FS) dec Asher Larson (HL) 11-4

120: Ezra Birdashaw (FS) maj dec Cale Hein (HL) 10-2

126: Jake Barnes (HL) pinned D’onte Goodman (FS)

132: Jett Barton (FS) received a FF

138: Caleb Streeter (FS) pinned Slater Skaggs (HL)

145: Zack Shepley (FS) dec Caleb Hernandez (HL) 4-1

152: Ben Mellenbruch (FS) received a FF

160: Laython Biddle (FS) OT SV over Jadyn Fletcher (HL) 5-3

170: Matthew Marcum (FS) dec Garyson Booth (HL) 8-4

182: Austin Burenheide (FS) pinned Trevor Bowser (HL)

195: Cole Rorick (FS) received a FF

220: Dalton Roush (HL) pinned Gavin Blanchard (FS)

285: Dustin Chermok (HL) pinned Preston Tran (FS)

Girls varsity

132: Madyson Gray (FS) pinned Macey Gross (HL)

132: Clare Benton (FS) pinned Grace Voltz (HL)

132: Madyson Gray (FS) pinned Gracie Gallagher (HL)

132: Clare Benton (FS) pinned Emma Bontrager (HL)

Eudora WR commits to Kansas State

Eudora junior Silas Etter didn’t wait long after receiving his first Division I offer to announce his verbal commitment.

Etter plans to stay in the state after high school, as he announced via his personal Twitter account on Friday that he is committed to play collegiate football for Kansas State University. Etter revealed that the Wildcats offered him on Nov. 20, which was exactly two weeks before he made his non-binding pledge on social media.

“Playing college football has always been a dream of mine,” Etter wrote on his Twitter account. “It has been unreal being blessed with this opportunity.”

Etter, who graduates in 2022, is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. Etter is currently an unrated prospect on Rivals, with Kansas State being the only team that has reportedly offered him at this time.

During his junior campaign, Etter was on a run-heavy Eudora team that went 3-7 in 2020. He finished with 18 receptions for 266 yards and four touchdowns. Etter also added 14 carries for 97 yards on his way to being named to the All-Frontier League first team.

Local football players earn league honors

A total of 10 local football players were named to either the first or second team for the All-Sunflower League selections.

Lawrence High had eight players make the top-two teams in the league following a 9-1 campaign in 2020. Of those eight players, five of them made the first All-Sunflower League first team.

Senior center Porter Dannevik, senior running back Devin Neal, senior defensive lineman Dylan Gillespie, senior linebacker Cole Mondi and senior safety Corban Oberzan all made the first team for LHS.

Lawrence also had three players crack the second team. Senior kicker Connor Gellender, senior receiver John Green and junior offensive lineman Acen Villegas all were named to the second team.

Both of Free State’s representatives were listed on the second team. Senior Jacobee Williams earned that honor as a defensive back, while junior Tai Newhouse made the list as a defensive lineman.

Shawnee Mission Northwest’s senior quarterback Ty Black was tabbed player of the year by the Sunflower League. Bo Black of Shawnee Mission Northwest received coach of the year honors to complete the sweep for the Cougars.