photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Grayson Hagen adjusts his hold on Dodge City's Emanuel Quezada during a home dual on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Free State High School.

Note: The Journal-World All-Area teams are carefully selected by the Journal-World sports staff.

Brett Delich

Coach of the Year: Brett Delich, Tonganoxie High

Delich set a new school record with three state champions as part of the Chieftains’ runner-up finish at the 4A state tournament in Salina.

photo by: Contributed photo

Braeden Moore

Player of the Year: Braeden Moore, Tonganoxie High

Moore finished his Chieftain career securing the 144-pound state title, making him Tonganoxie’s first two-time state champion since Connor Searcy in 2019 and 2020.

photo by: Contributed photo

Noah Bailey

Noah Bailey, Tonganoxie High

Bailey took home the gold in the 150-pound bracket at state, ending his Tonganoxie career as a two-time state finalist and three-time state placer.

photo by: Contributed photo

Tyler Pankey

Tyler Pankey, Tonganoxie High

Pankey won the 215-pound state title in his final season with the Chieftains, leaving the team as a two-time state finalist.

photo by: Contributed photo

Jack Harvey

Jack Harvey, Baldwin High

After 151 career wins, Harvey ended his Bulldog career as the 190-pound state runner-up in 4A after winning the state title a year ago. Harvey is a four-time state qualifier and three-time state finalist.

photo by: Contributed photo

Ethan Williams

Ethan Williams, Baldwin High

Williams (138 pounds) finished his sophomore season at 31-11 with a sixth-place finish at the 4A state tournament and will enter his third year as a two-time state qualifier.

photo by: Contributed photo

Andrew Honas (left) and Lou Elsten (right).

Andrew Honas, Lawrence High

A four-time state placer, Honas finished his Chesty Lion career with a third-place performance at state, bouncing back in the consolation bracket with a 40-5 decision over Olathe North’s Blake Samuelson in the third-place championship.

Lou Elsten, Lawrence High

Elsten took another strong step forward with LHS in Year 2, finishing the season at 39-4 and avenging his state quarterfinal loss to Olathe North’s Jaxson Scott in the third-place title match.

photo by: Contributed photo

Blaine Larkin

Blaine Larkin, Free State

Larkin (215 pounds) capped his junior season with an impressive state runner-up finish in 6A, including a come-from-behind win over Derby’s Mason Hopper for a seat in the title match with Shawnee-Mill Valley’s Christopher Wash Jr.

photo by: Contributed photo

Grayson Hagen

Grayson Hagen, Free State

Hagen (150 pounds) took third place at state to end his junior campaign, winning his first-round and quarterfinal matches over Shawnee Mission South’s Xander Hale and Maize’s Braden Salsbury before falling short in the semifinal round to Shawnee-Mill Valley’s Brady Mason.

photo by: Contributed photo

Gabe Swoyer

Gabe Swoyer, Free State

Swoyer (157 pounds) rebounded from his state quarterfinal loss to Manhattan High’s Ben Uher to defeat Wichita Southeast’s Caphers Orangi (29-12) by fall in the fifth-place title.

Honorable Mention: Jayden Westgate (Baldwin); Conner Murry (Baldwin).