Coach of the Year: Brett Delich, Tonganoxie High

Brett Delich, who actually spent time in Lawrence growing up, led the Chieftains to a Class 4A state title this season, with THS edging out Augusta 136-127.5 at the state tournament. Four Tonganoxie wrestlers reached the finals and several others medaled. In all, eight THS wrestlers qualified for state, with five winning regional titles. Delich was named the regional coach of the year after his team’s strong showing in the state qualifying round.

Player of the Year: Matthew Marcum, Free State

A junior wrestling at 195 pounds, Matthew Marcum completed his run to a 2022 state title in the most impressive way. He knocked off defending state champ Blake Jouret, of Olathe South, in the state title match to pick up his championship medal. Along the way, Marcum was sensational. He recorded 37 pins in his 43 wins and finished the season with a 43-5 record.

Nolan Bradley, Free State

Another Free State junior who finished the season on top, Nolan Bradley won the Class 6A state title at 113 pounds with an overall record of 41-4. His championship in 2022 made him a three-time state placer and he’ll look to make it four for four next season as a senior leader.

Eric Streeter, Free State

A junior wrestling at 132 pounds for the Firebirds, Eric Streeter rumbled his way to a third-place finish at the Class 6A state tournament, making him a two-time state placer. After pinning his first-round opponent in 1:16, Streeter lost a 10-6 decision in the quarterfinals. That forced him to win four more matches on the back side of the bracket to claim third place. He won those by outscoring three of his opponents 21-6 and recorded a pin in 2 minutes in the fourth. Streeter finished the season with a 36-12 record.

Grayson Hagen, Free State

In his first year with the program, Hagen made a huge impact, racking up 34 victories and finishing with a third-place medal at the Class 6A state tournament. The freshman wrestled at 106 pounds for the Firebirds and did not have a single point scored on him at state until the semifinals. He edged out Lawrence High sophomore Andrew Honas, 3-2, in the third-place match to finish 34-12 on the season.

Andrew Honas, Lawrence High

One of three LHS wrestlers who finished fourth at state (his older brother, Kevin, did as well), the 106-pound sophomore finished the season with a record of 35-8. Honas took first at regionals, third at the Sunflower League meet and won two regular season meets, as well. Among his 35 wins were victories over state placers from Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas.

Jack Elsten, Lawrence High

A junior who wrestled at 120 pounds for the Lions, Jack Elsten finished the season with a 32-6 record to move his career record to 76-32. He finished fourth at the 6A state meet and is now a three-time state placer at three different weight classes. Along the way, he finished as a regional and Sunflower League champ and in first place at the Leavenworth Challenger and Seaman Duals.

Jack Harvey, Baldwin High

The Class 4A state runner-up at 182 pounds, Jack Harvey finished the season with a 37-4 overall record that included 33 pins, which set a school record for a single season. The BHS sophomore was a Frontier League champion, a regional runner-up and his only losses all season came to Tonganoxie senior Gabriel Bailey

Gabriel Bailey, Tonganoxie

One of four THS wrestlers to reach the 4A state finals, Gabriel Bailey was the only one who brought home a victory, winning the 182-pound bracket. He advanced by pin in his first three matches at state, winning his semifinal round with a fall in just 1:06 before topping Harvey 5-3 in the state title match. The senior who helped THS win the team state title finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 30-3.

Noah Bailey, Tonganoxie

One of four Chieftains to reach the 4A state finals, the surging sophomore Noah Bailey rolled to the title match at 132 pounds before suffering a technical fall in the title match to finish his season at 36-11. His run helped THS win the team state title.

Grayson Sonntag, Tonganoxie

One of four Chieftains to reach the 4A state finals, the senior at 138 pounds came up just short, losing an 11-7 decision in the state title match. Grayson Sonntag rolled his way to the title match, picking up early pins in his first two matches and an 8-2 decision in the semifinals. His run helped THS win the team state title and he finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 41-3.

Tyler Pankey, Tonganoxie

One of the four Chieftains to reach the 4A state finals, the sophomore at 170 pounds came up just short, losing a 9-5 decision in the state title match. Tyler Pankey was the only one who brought home a victory, winning the 182-pound bracket. Pankey’s run helped THS win the team state title and he finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 30-6.

Honorable Mention: Tai Newhouse and Zach Shepley, Free State; Kevin Honas and Tucker Corbin, Lawrence High; Nakos Benton, Zayne Nowak, Jesse Hopper, Jake Van Horn, Dayton Peterson and Jayden Westgate, Baldwin; Colton Brusven and Braeden Moore, Tonganoxie.