Free State wrestlers tighten grip on LHS late, claim City Showdown on the road
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
A hot start by Lawrence High was no problem for the Free State boys wrestling team, as the Firebirds came back for a 45-27 road victory in the City Showdown on Wednesday at LHS, turning the Chesty Lions’ senior night bittersweet.
After watching his team stay composed during one of the season’s biggest dates, FSHS junior Grayson Hagen couldn’t help but feel optimistic about the Firebirds’ trajectory. Hagen said that the win over LHS, which topped FSHS by a single spot at the Newton Tournament of Champions less than two weeks ago, is another step in the right direction.
“It’s different,” Hagen said. “A lot of our guys went out and wrestled. We have a lot of things to work on, but we did all right. It was a bit closer than usual and we’ll be getting ready for next year.”
Several Chesty Lions – Andrew Honas, Remy Frentroup, Arlo Collier, Harrison Kirkwood, Brandt Wollesen, Mike Cantu de la Cruz and Keagan Shaffer – contested the longtime rivalry one final time on the mat.
The showdown began with two exhibition matches featuring Cantu de la Cruz (106 pounds) and Shaffer (190 pounds) grabbing wins over FSHS freshmen Kash LaForge (106) and Garrison Oatis (190). LHS carried that momentum into its subsequent dual matches, opening the night with three consecutive wins.
LHS freshman Galen Dewhirst (106 pounds) defeated FSHS junior Michael Hernandez in a 7-0 decision, sophomore Lou Elsten (113 pounds) pinned FSHS junior Quinton Hice and junior Logan Sheldon (120 pounds) pinned FSHS junior Brayden Wilcox to get the night started.
Kirkwood – still smiling ear to ear with a bloodied lip after his final City Showdown – said the way LHS’ younger wrestlers came out was admirable.
“I thought our team wrestled amazing,” Kirkwood said. “(Sheldon) really set the tone early with an overtime win. That was super fun to watch; it got everyone gassed up. I think the score doesn’t quite reflect the way we wrestled as a team.”
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
The Lions forfeited to FSHS junior Drew Streeter (126 pounds) but reentered the win column with a 6-0 pin by Honas (132 pounds) over FSHS junior Preston White.
Then, the Firebirds woke up. FSHS senior D’onte Goodman (144 pounds) defeated LHS junior Kenneth Marcial to open up a 6-2 run on the Lions.
Hagen (150 pounds) and Gabe Swoyer (157 pounds) had pins over Collier (150) and LHS junior Elijah Mann (157). Sophomore Zane Shaw (175 pounds) defeated Wollesen by an 11-6 decision, before junior Blaine Larkin (215 pounds) and freshman Xander Swoyer (285 pounds) delivered the final blow.
Hagen, when asked about his pin over Collier, said the competition was as stiff as he could hope for.
“Arlo is tough,” Hagen said. “He’s a good guy, but I go out there every match just looking to get it done.”
Kirkwood (165 pounds), who pinned FSHS junior Cole Wright, and sophomore Jadin Harrell (190 pounds), who defeated FSHS junior Kael Robinson by an 8-3 decision, delivered LHS’ two final highlights of the evening before Swoyer’s pin closed the dual.
FSHS travels to Andover on Saturday; LHS travels to Chanute.
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World
photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World