Mustang wrestlers eye state berths

In order for Iola High’s wrestlers to advance to the Class 4A state tournament next weekend, they must first traverse a regional competition against some of the toughest wrestlers in the state.
Mustang head coach Brad Carson previewed the action following a seeding meeting Wednesday.
Mustang senior Bryce Misenhelter, the only IHS wrestler who qualified for state last year, must contend with a loaded 195-pound field that includes Ottawa’s Dalton Weidl, the top ranked Class 4A wrestler at that weight.
Misenhelter, who has compiled a 33-2 record, is ranked second in the state.
“Bryce may also have to face a Prairie View kid in the quarterfinals who’s pretty tough,” Carson said.
Still, Misenhelter’s success at that weight — he bumped up from 182 pounds early in the season, and has lost only once at 195 — should bode well.
The Mustangs’ Cody Conner (31-4) is the third seed at 152 pounds. He also faces a loaded regional, including William Holland of Prairie View. Connor Patton of Paola and Daniel Dees of Chanute are others who are capable of earning bids to Salina, Carson said.
Andrew Garber has excelled since dropping from 195 pounds to 182 pounds, racking up a 28-11 record.
He must contend with Prairie View’s William Holland, Burlington’s Nate Vander Linden and Santa Fe Trail’s Ethan Dean. Garber has split two matches
against Vander Linden this year already.
John Whitworth (26-10) is the fifth seed at 160 pounds in a bracket featuring Taylor Watkins of Columbus, the top-ranked wrestler in that division. Josh Young of Burlington also could give opponents fits.
“John isn’t as experienced as the other wrestlers, but he’s athletic enough to do well,” Carson said. “He’ll be ready to go.”
Tavon Blazek carries the seventh seed into his 170-pound bracket, courtesy of his 24-15 record. Spring Hill’s Blake Hampton and Chanute’s Alex Son both are among the highest ranked wrestlers in the state.
“Tavon’s seed isn’t bad for a freshman,” Carson said. “He’s capable of putting kids on their backs.”
Three other Iola wrestlers are unseeded. Travis Rieske will wrestle at 145 pounds with his 17-15 record. Seth Sanford carries a 6-15 record at 220 pounds, while Colton Toney is 11-16 at 285 pounds.
Rieske is a senior; Sanford and Toney are freshmen.
“I have two goals for the freshmen,” Carson said. “I want them to experience regional competition so they know what it’s like, and I want them to use this experience to help them set goals for the future.”
The tournament wraps up Saturday.