In high school wrestling, it’s Great Bend vs. Hays for the Western Athletic Conference championship.
Both the Panthers and Indians enter today’s dual at the Panther Athletic Center unbeaten in conference matches. The junior varsity match starts at 4 p.m., followed by the varsity matches at around 4:30.
“I don’t think it should be hard for them to get up for the dual,” GBHS head coach Norbert Muth said of his charges. “I think it’s an exciting one. I think we both teams bring different things to the table.
“I know that (Hays) they are particularly good at the top, meaning the heavier weights, and our strength, if we have one, is probably down below and how that’s going to play out. It will be interesting to see how we match up.”
Hays is ranked No. 6 in Class 5A in the latest Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association poll. The Indians have two of the top-ranked wrestlers in 5A in the upper weight divisions in Cash Drylie, second at 220 pounds, and Luke Madden, fourth at 285, along with Preston Weigel, top-ranked at 170, and Kyler Myers, sixth at 160.
“On paper, they’re the favored team,” Muth said, “with their ranking in the state and the guys they have ranked.
“We always tell our guys that the best thing about sports, one of the greatest feelings, is beating someone that you’re not supposed to beat. We’re going into the dual with the attitude that we have nothing to lose.”
Great Bend’s Chris Burley (120) owns a 30-3 record and holds the No. 2 ranking in Class 5A in the latest KWCA poll.
“He was the highest-placing Kansas kid in his bracket at the Garden City tournament (which featured some salty out-of-state competition),” Muth said of the junior. “Overall, I think he’s been doing a good job.”
Chris Burley, the defending state champion, is joined in the state rankings by his brother, Greg Burley, checking in at No. 6 at 132 pounds, and Brody Bretz, sixth at 138.
The regional meet is set for Saturday, Feb. 18, at Salina South. Other schools taking part include Andover, Andover Central, Hays, Newton, Salina Central, Wichita Kapaun-Mt. Carmel and host Salina South.
“(Hays is) in our regional, so regional seeds come into play (today),” Muth said. “If you want to be seeded ahead of someone from Hays, you have to beat them head to head.”

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTING
Western Athletic Conference

At Great Bend
Panther Athletic Center

Today
Great Bend vs. Hays
PANTHERS LINEUP
106 — Ryan DesLauriers      13-9
113 — Arturo Sanchez          5-10
120 — Chris Burley              30-3
126 — Brett Roberts            21-10
132 — Greg Burley              15-2
138 — Brodie Bretz             21-13
145 — Joe Lindenberger       9-8
152 — Emerson Campbell   15-14
160 — Darian Yager            20-12
170 — Bryce Hofmeister      5-4
182 — Justin Henry            22-17
195 — Ramon Garcia         10-9
220 — Ivan Prieto               9-10
285 — Jacob Crane            5-13