HOISINGTON — The Hoisington High School wrestling team will be looking for a couple of boys to step up after losing three seniors.
Two of those seniors, Ethan Soeken and Dalton Bell, combined for five visits to the Class 3-1A state meet in their high school careers.
“We graduated two kids that wrestled varsity,” Hoisington head coach Dan Schmidt said. “Dalton was a three-time state qualifier and Ethan was a two-time state qualifier.
“In addition, we lost a really good kid that would have filled in at (the 132-pound weight class). Hunter Rios, he moved.”
Bell was the top finisher at the state meet for the 2010-2011 Cardinals. He finished in sixth place in the 145 weight class and finished with a 37-10 record.
“We did pick up a really good kid,” Schmidt said.”His name is Brandon Ball. He’s a sophomore. He’s never wrestled at the high school level, but he has been looking good in practice.”
The Cardinals, who are ranked No. 8 in the latest Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association poll, are returning three state qualifiers.
“We also have a lot of really good kids coming back,” Schmidt said. “Chance Demel is a two-time state qualifier. He placed as a freshman. Cody Batt is back. He got an injury default during the state meet last year, but he beat a lot of the top finishers during the regular season.
“Eric Hellerud is a two-time state qualifier, and he does very well. He just gets snake bit at state under the gun.”
Batt is ranked No. 4 in the 195 weight class, and Demel is ranked fifth in 145.
Hellerud will be worked in to the roster as the season progresses.
“Hellerud had an injury from the football season,” Schmidt said. “I’m hoping to have it all put together by Christmas. We have a few kids that are out with injuries, but I don’t think there’s going to be a drop off.
“We have 30 kids out for the team. I’m sure there’s going to be some growing pains.”
Matt Manka, who was one point away from qualifying for the state meet last season, will be back and is projected to wrestle at the 152 class again this season.
Brady Moore, a senior who was one match away from the state meet last season, will be back as the Cardinals heavy weight this season.

Hoisington Cardinals
Roster
Landon Harmon    106           fr.
Brandon Ball         120          so.
Lexi Sanders         126           fr.
Bryce Boxberger   132           jr.
Zach Sanders        138           jr.
Chance Demel      145           jr.
Matt Manka         152           sr.
Dylan Bell            160           sr.
Chris Crawford    170           jr.
Avery Urban        182           so.
Cayton Janousek  195-220    jr.
Cody Batt            195-220    sr.
Brady Moore       285           sr.