photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Zane Shaw from Free State High slams Lawrence High's Brandt Wollesen to the mat on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.

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

Lawrence High’s Logan Sheldon takes down Free State’s Brayden Wilcox in the 120-pound matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.

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

Michael Hernandez from Free State and Galen Dewhirst from Lawrence High grapple in the first match of the dual meet on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High’s Logan Sheldon and Free State’s Brayden Wilcox get tangled up on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Zane Shaw from Free State High grabs ahold of Lawrence High’s Brandt Wollesen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Zane Shaw from Free State High prepares to take down Lawrence High’s Brandt Wollesen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Free State’s Zane Shaw battles Brandt Wollesen from Lawrence High on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Kenneth Marcial of Lawrence High prepares to face D’onte Goodman from Free State High School on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at LHS.