Dalton Bell, out of Hoisington High School represented the South at the first North vs. South District Four Senior Classic Wrestling Tournament.
The tournament was a final way to honor seniors from District 4 with an opportunity to wrestle one last time at the high school level.
The teams were chosen from a list of state qualifiers with the best finish from the state wrestling tournaments wishing to participate in the event. All classes were honored with the chance to be present from district four.
District four covers all schools from the western part of the state to highway 281. Hoisington is on the eastern edge of the boundary.
Bell, who wrestled in the 145-pound weight class this past season, put his name on the list of those wanting to participate, but was notified that he did not make the squad at 145.
Later in the week he was asked if he would participate up a weight at 152 pounds and accepted.
Bell beat Dylan Bainter from Hoxie in the third period.
Bainter is a wrestler who qualified for state multiple times in his high school career and a third-place finisher from this past season at the Class 3-1A state tournament. Bell was a three-time state qualifier and a state placer, finishing in sixth at 145 pounds this past season at the Class 3-1A state tournament.
“I was so proud of him, as was our whole coaching staff,” Hoisington head coach Daniel Schmidt said. “It was great to get to watch him wrestle one last time, and for the college coaches that were here to get to see that this young man has a ton of potential. Bainter is just an outstanding wrestler, and for Dalton to get a win over him was just awesome.”
The North won the dual 20-19 on the final match of the evening.