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Great Bend wrestlers enjoy success
Great Bend Bre Ridgeway2
Great Bend’s Breanna Ridgeway puts a hold on Altamont’s Abbie Jones Friday. Ridgeway pinned Jones in a battle of Kansas girls wrestling state champions. - photo by Jim Misunas, Great Bend Tribune

BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Seven Great Bend wrestlers finished unbeaten and Panther Breanna Ridgeway won a match between state champions during the Panthers’ “Grapple on the Gridiron,” event at the Panther Activity Center. 

Unbeaten wrestlers were Wyatt Weber (10-0), Quinn Hoffman (9-0), Gage Fritz (7-0), George Weber (7-0), Drew Liles (3-0), Skylar McMullen (3-0) and Breanna Ridgeway (1-0).

Ridgeway pinned Altamont’s Abbie Jones in a battle of state high school wrestling champions. Ridgeway (16-1) won the 132-pound Kansas girls championship and Jones (13-1) won the 138-pound championship at McPherson Feb. 9. 

Once-beaten wrestlers featured Carsyn Schooler (11-1), Alex Randolph (9-1), Toby West (8-1), Scott Heilman (7-1) and Avery Wolf (5-1).

Great Bend wrestlers finished with a 121-56 record that featured 86 pins. 

“I’m excited to see what this year’s teams bring,” said Great Bend coach Nathan Broeckelman. “Great Bend split into two dual teams to ensure the most mat time possible.”

The only disappointment was a scheduled outdoor event was forced indoors due to 100-degree heat on the Memorial Stadium turf.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to pull the mats out on the football field this year due to the heat, but the event was still a success,” he said. “I see it growing from here. We are thankful for a great wrestling family that keeps growing and coming together to help these athletes find success.”

Teams from Colorado and New Mexico competed.

“We’re very excited to see what happens next year,” he said. “Between Pueblo, Colorado and our own “Grapple on the Gridiron,” some of our kids wrestled 20-to-25 matches this summer and got some tough competition.” 

GREAT BEND RESULTS

Great Bend No. 1—13-0

Great Bend No. 2—6-6

Wyatt Weber 10-0—8 Pins

Quinn Hoffman 9-0—8 Pins

Gage Fritz 7-0—2 Pins

George Weber 7-0—2 Pins

Drew Liles—3-0

Skylar McMullen 3-0—2 pins

Bre Ridgeway 1-0—1 Pin

Carsyn Schooler 11-1—7 Pins

Alex Randolph 9-1—8 Pins

Toby West 8-1—7 Pins

Scott Heilman 7-1—6 Pins

Avery Wolf 5-1—5 Pins

Cooper Liles 3-1—2 Pins

Kaden Hoffman 2-1—1 Pin

Kevin Miramontes 2-1—2 Pins

Kaden Spragis 2-1—1 Pin

Ever Chavez 5-2—4 Pins

Owen Ridgeway 7-4—5 Pins

John Szot 6-5—3 Pins

Kaidence Sanchez 4-6—4 Pins

Ryan Nicholson 3-6—3 Pins

Matthew Johnson 2-6—1 Pin

Sam Shepherd 1-2

Cadin Spore 1-2

Triston Tomlinson 1-2—1 Pin

Adrian Hurtado 1-4—1 Pin

Korbin Shepherd 1-5—1 Pin

Ali Pierce 0-2