Karjala chosen as 5A’s best assistant
Emporia High assistant wrestling coach Ryan Karjala has been chosen as the Class 5A assistant coach of the year by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association and will be honored at the KWCA’s October awards banquet in Salina. Karjala helped guide the Spartans to this year’s Class 5A State team title. Also, Greg Rahe of Emporia’s Radio Stations was one of four selections for the organization’s media of the year honors.
Selected as the Class 5A coach of the year was Ron Averill of Lansing, which finished second at State behind Emporia. Chosen as the 5A senior wrestler of the year was Andover Central’s Chris Watson, a two-time State champion.
Loucks, six other
Spartans earn
all-league honors
Emporia High bowler Jacob Loucks was chosen to the All-Centennial League first team, and the Spartans had three other boys bowlers and three girls bowlers earn either second team or honorable mention.
Loucks, a junior, won Emporia’s Regional tournament this year, then placed ninth at State last weekend. Senior Bradie Cline was selected to the boys all-league second team, and senior Jonathan Roman and junior Nick Hensley were honorable mentions.
Seniors Stephanie O’Dell and Morgan Michels were selected to the girls second team, and senior Caitlin Martin was selected as an honorable mention. Martin qualified for the State tournament this year.