RUSSELL — The Hoisington High School wrestling team qualified nine athletes for the Class 3-1A state tournament for the second time in school history.
The Cardinals qualified nine in the 2008-09 season, when they finished in seventh place.
On top of that, Hoisington won its regional.
“Well, it was a very tough regional,” Hoisington head coach Dan Schmidt said. “To win it, that’s really gratifying. That’s something you don’t do often.
“It’s happened only one other time.”
Brandon Ball was the Cardinals’ lone regional champion, wrestling in the 120-pound weight class.
“Brandon wrestled outstanding all year, but especially last weekend,” Schmidt said. “I don’t think any of his matches made it to the third round. He pinned everyone.”
Ball, who is ranked No. 4 in his weight class in the latest Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association poll, wrestles Taylor Murphy of Oakley in the first round of the state tournament on Thursday at Fort Hays State University.
“Overall, we didn’t pair up well,” Schmidt said. “We will hit the kid that most people think will win state early in our brackets.
“We’re going to have to pull of some real big upsets to meet our goals.”
Chance Demel (145), Eric Hellerud (182), Cayton Janousek (195) and Cody Batt (220) each finished in second place at the regional.
Demel is ranked No. 6, Hellerud is ranked No. 4, Janousek is ranked No. 5 and Batt ranked No. 4 in their respective weight classes.
Zach Sanders (138) and Brady Moore (285) took third place.
Matt Manka (152) and Hagen Hanzlick (170) finished in fourth place.
“Everyone of those kids that got to state, we expected them to make it,” Schmidt said. “What was surprising was how we got there. Zach Sanders and Hagen Hanzlick truly took tough routes to get there.
“Sanders was seeded second and got upset in the semis and had to beat some really good kids just to get into state. Then he had to beat a really good wrestler to finish in third. Hanzlick was seeded No. 3 and got upset in the second round. Another wrestler got upset on the other end of the bracket that was extremely good. Hagen beat the kid in overtime to get into state.”
Hoisington has only finished as high as seventh place at the state meet. The Cardinals did it twice, once in 1998 and again in 2009.
Schmidt was named the Regional Coach of the Year.
“It’s a great feeling, but I think it says more about the entire coaching staff and the program than it does about me by myself,” Schmidt said. “I wouldn’t have the success without them and the kids, who have taken everything we say and then execute.”

                                                                                       — Kevin Price

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Class 3-1A regional meet

At Russell

Saturday

Team standings
1. Hoisington, 166.5; 2. Smith Center, 159; 3. Marysville, 137.5; 4. Beloit, 110; 5. Southeast of Saline, 93.5; 6. Minneapolis, 88.5; 7. Lyons, 86.5; 8. Russell, 78.5; 9. Riley County, 71.5; 10. Republic County, 66; 11. Lincoln, 39; 12. Stafford, 29; 13. Salina Sacred Heart, 27; 14. Mankato-Rock Hills, 26; 15. Bennington, 15.5; 16. Ellsworth, 22; 17. Bennington, 15.5; 18. Langdon-Fairfield, 15; 19. Sylvan-Lucas, 14; 20. Salina St. John’s Military, 3; 21. Osborne, 0.

Hoisington results
106 — Landon Harmon, 1-2
112 — Hilario Rosales, 0-2
120 — Brandon Ball, 3-0, first place
126 — Lexi Sanders, 0-2
132 — Bruce Boxberger, 1-2
138 — Zach Sanders, 3-1, third place
145 — Chance Demel, 2-1, second place
152 — Matt Manka, 3-2, fourth place
160 — Dylan Bell, 2-2
170 — Hagen Hanzlick, 4-2, fourth place
182 — Eric Hellerud, 2-1, second place
195 — Cayton Janousek, 2-1, second place
220 — Cody Batt, 2-1, second place
285 — Brady Moore, 3-1, third place