It could have been because of a number of factors that caused the Emporia High wrestling team to not look as sharp on the second day of the two-day Derby tournament on Saturday — the hotel stay, tiredness, improperly warming up — but that didn’t make it any less disappointing for coach Greg Buckbee.
After watching his wrestlers turn in quality performances one after another on Friday, Buckbee said he became frustrated by an apparent lack of focus on Saturday, which caused the Spartans to fall short of their goal of finishing in the top 3. EHS finished fifth with 114.5 points, while Bishop Carroll won the team title with 178 points.
“As a whole team, I thought we wrestled pretty good on Friday, and then we came back on Saturday, and we were just flat,” Buckbee said. “We didn’t look good at all. This was our first two-day tournament of the year, and boy, you could really tell Saturday.
“We could make all kinds of excuses, but the bottom line is they didn’t get it done.”
Still, the Spartans improved dramatically from last year’s showing at Derby. In addition to improving eight spots in the team standings from a season ago, seven Emporia wrestlers placed in the tournament, up from just two last year.
Leading the way for the Spartans were Mark Kolmer at 189 pounds and Josh Rodriguez at 215 pounds. Both wrestlers made it to the finals of their respective weight classes before falling, leaving each to take home second-place finishes.
The freshman Kolmer, in advancing to the championship bout, had to make it past three senior state placers from 2006 on Friday just to make it to the finals. There, he faced Arkansas City’s Scott Elliott, where Elliott pinned Kolmer 2 minutes, 46 seconds into the match to grab the victory.
“Mark started off and looked pretty good in the first period,” Buckbee said, “and then in the second period, he kind of took a break and ended up getting beat.”
Rodriguez, meanwhile, had to face Shawnee Height’s Chris Holly, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, in his championship match. Holly and Rodriguez battled to a 1-1 tie late in the third period before Holly seized an opportunity and scored two quick points on Rodriguez to take the match, 3-1.
“Josh takes a little break,” Buckbee said, “and that kid (Holly) capitalizes on it and wins the match.”
Other placers for the Spartans were: Jared Dakin (103 pounds), fourth; Justin Rose (112 pounds), fifth; Bryce Shaver (160 pounds), fifth; and Zeb Peak (135 pounds), sixth.
Behind Bishop Carroll, which is shooting for its third consecutive Class 5A State title, was the top-ranked team in Class 6A, Goddard, at 170 points. Derby finished with 157 points, and Arkansas City came in with 139.
Buckbee said he was pleased that his team showed such improvement from last year, but added that he expected a more consistent effort from his wrestlers.
“It leaves room for improvement,” Buckbee said. “We were a little disappointed in that finish (fifth place), but its an improvement from a year ago, so we’re looking at it from both ways.
“Again, this is just a learning experience.”
5 area players named
to Shrine Bowl rosters
Five area football stars are headed to Hays on July 28 to play in the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl football game thanks to their outstanding seasons on the gridiron.
Four athletes were named to the East squad, which will be coached by Blake Pierce of Seaman. Lyndon’s Damon Leiss will serve as an assistant.
Emporia’s Dillon Cox, who recorded 107 tackles at linebacker for the Spartans in their breakout 6-3 season, was chosen, along with punter and wide receiver Andrew Wiederholt of Hartford, lineman Jake Miller of Olpe and All-State running back and The Gazette’s All-Area Player of the Year, Matt Coursen of the 8-Man Division I State champion Waverly Bulldogs.
Madison’s Jordan Stout, who played quarterback and safety for the 10-2 Bulldogs and who recently committed to play basketball at Emporia State, was the only area player selected to the West squad, with Jason Kenny of Ulysses serving as the head coach.