LARNED – Larned boys wrestling coach Josh Ball, a Hoisington state wrestling champion, brings high-caliber knowledge to a 12-member Indian boys team.

Hoisington's Ball (148-19) placed first, third, fifth and sixth at state. He was the KWCA 3-2-1A Wrestler of the Year as a senior state champion.

"Being a state-champion caliber wrestler helps my coaching because I understand what it takes to succeed at that level," Ball said. "It requires discipline, attention to detail, hard work, and mental toughness. I’ve been through challenges my athletes face. You've got to set clear expectations and teach habits that lead to success. My experience helps me guide men growing through the sport." 

Konner Mills (29-9) finished 1-2 at state as the Indians' returning state qualifier.

Larned's "Dirty Dozen," offers potential.

"We have a muscularly strong and hard-working group," Ball said. "We'll accomplish great things with the boys we have. Our focus is improving on 'little' things and being disciplined. Everything else will follow suit, if we master those two things."

INDIAN BOYS

SENIORS—157—Mikel Wilder (17-15)

JUNIORS—144—Matheu Wilder (12-12); 190—Mario Rohling; 

SOPHOMORES—106—Konner Mills (SQ, 29-9); 113—Brayden Smith (17-16); 120—Cooper Smith; 132—Asher Alexander; 150—Jax Johnson; Coye Solko

NINTH-GRADERS—Grayden Lloyd; Frank Shearrer; Kaden Thome

LARNED SCHEDULE—12-5/12-6—at WaKeeney; 12-19—at Hoisington; 1-8—at Larned; 1-9—at Rossville girls; 1-10—at Ellsworth; 1-15—at Hoisington; 1-17—at Scott City; 1-23—at Cimarron; 1-30—at Garden Plain; 1-31—Larned; 2-5—at Leoti; 2-12—CKL at Pratt; 2-20—regional; 2-27/28—at 3-1A state

Larned girls return state foursome

LARNED — Larned's wrestling team returns four girls 4A state qualifiers No. 3 state ranked Cara Herbert (135), No. 3 ranked Mia Munden (140), Miranda Nolde (10-5) and Paisley Weizbrod (170).

Herbert (48-6, 135) placed third with an 11-3 victory over Santa Fe Trail's Morgan Pickering. Munden (34-14, 140) placed fifth with a victory over Eureka's Maddy Arnold (0:34).

The Indians will feature 14 girl wrestlers.

Veteran Larned wrestling coach Matt Sleder will take charge of an improving and growing girls program. Sleder believes the excitement level is high.

Sleder expects state-ranked Herbert and Munden to be state contenders. Sleder believes Weizbrod and Nolde to build on their strong freshman seasons.

Sleder will be assisted by coaches Hunter Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Fitzpatrick.

LARNED GIRLS

SENIORS—115—Anna Bunger; 135—Cara Herbert (3RD, 48-6; 37-11); 140—Mia Munden (5TH, 34-14; 26-13), 155—Alexa Seeman

JUNIORS—125—Allyson Simmons; 170—Kinley Atteberry (24-14; 15-17); 235—Alexis Stewart

SOPHOMORES—105—Miranda Nolde (SQ, 19-16); 115— Zoiey Garcia (9-26); 170— Paisley Weizbrod (SQ, 27-14); Evelynn Brownlee; Gaby Fabela

NINTH-GRADERS—Edith Linderer; Makinley Rasmussen

LARNED SCHEDULE—12-5/12-6—at WaKeeney; 12-12/12-13—at Great Bend; 12-19—at Hoisington; 1-5—CKL at Larned; 1-8—at Larned; 1-9—at Rossville; 1-15—at Hoisington; 1-17—at Scott City; 1-23—at Cimarron; 1-31—Larned; 2-13/14—regional; 2-27/28—at 3-1A state