photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Coghlan Odom gets his hand raised after a win in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

Free State boys wrestling lost its home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday 38-34 in Free State’s final dual ahead of the Sunflower League tournament on Saturday.

The Firebirds struggled with mounting injuries and illnesses hitting the team late in the season, as well as a couple losses that the Firebirds needed to get in order to come out on top in the dual. The Firebirds were without their starting heavyweight, 165, 113 and 126-pound wrestlers, while a few others have been dealing with the flu.

“It’s difficult to replace everybody you can,” Free State coach Randy Streeter said. “Having a dual against the Mill Valleys of the world, the Washburn Rurals of the world is tough. You have to come up with some big wins… it is what it is. We have to regroup.”

Free State sophomore and 106-pound wrestler Davauri Goodman started the dual with a technical fall in the second period over Mill Valley’s Ryder Moseley. The Jaguars got a free win with Free State being open in the 113-pound bout.

In the 120-pound match, Mill Valley’s Jeredy Nilges won by major decision over Free State sophomore Damian Quick. The Jaguars got another technical fall win in the 126-pound bout with a win over Firebird sophomore Emmett Williams.

Free State rebounded with a pin from Kash LaForge. in the 132-pound match in the first round. LaForge got the pin in 1 minute, 9 seconds. The mounting injuries have provided opportunities for younger wrestlers like LaForge who have risen to the moment.

Mill Valley won the 138-pound bout with a decision win over Free State’s Tristan Moore. In the 144-pound match, Mill Valley’s Luke Whisler beat Free State’s Brogan Hagen by decision. The Jaguars got a technical fall win with William Gadwood beating Free State’s Hudson Andrew.

“You can’t lose 38, 44 and 50,” Streeter said. “We can’t lose all three of those and expect to win. We’ve got to be better, we’ve got to work harder in the room.”

Free State got a win in the 157-pound bout with junior Coghlan Odom pinning Jax Gadwood in the second period.

The Firebirds didn’t have a wrestler for the 165-pound weight class, but the Firebirds got an open win in the 175-pound weight class with junior Ben Lyles.

Free State got two big wins to take the overall team lead at 34-32 in the 190-pound bout and the 215-pound bout. Senior Zane Shaw won by technical fall over Mill Valley’s Derek Cloughley and Free State senior Cameron Salb got a pin over Noah Major 34 seconds into the match.

Mill Valley won the final bout to win the dual 38-34. Mill Valley’s Quinn Vaka pinned Free State’s Cesar Martinez in the second period.

The Firebirds will bring 20 wrestlers to the Sunflower League meet this weekend and expect to compete near the top. Streeter said the team needs to regroup together and will potentially do team activities together beyond wrestling to get the right mindset heading into postseason tournaments.

“It will be a different story this weekend,” Streeter said. “I’m still expecting big things. I’m still riding five, six horses into the regional. I’m not going to give up on anything.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Cameron Salb prepares to strike in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Cameron Salb grabs his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Cesar Martinez fights off his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Zane Shaw gets on top of his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Brogan Hagen grapples with his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Hudson Andrew fights off his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State junior Coghlan Odom grabs a hold of his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Zane Shaw eyes his opponent in a home dual against Mill Valley on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Lawrence.