The Manhattan High School Boys Wrestling team competed at their State Championship matches in Olathe on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1, leaving with their first place trophy once again.
After their State Championship win during the 2023-2024 school year, the team was ready to come back this year, aiming to keep the trophy for one more year.
Despite losing a couple State finisher seniors after last year’s season, the boys knew they had what it took to take home the State title again.
“It’s honestly sort of surprising just because at the start of the year, we weren’t really sure, we all thought that we could go back to back throughout the year, but we weren’t 100% sure,” senior Landon Dobson said. “All the young guys that were there obviously pulled through in the end.”
The team had a strong start to the season, with a win at their home dual against Great Bend and a strong showing at the large Grand Island tournament. They kept up the power during the midseason, with wins at Dodge City and Hays before heading to League at Topeka High. Once the team won League and their Regionals in Garden City, they knew they had what it took to be forces at State once again. After a tough two days of matches at State, the Indians were crowned State champions, a familiar title for a group of hardworking boys.
“I was excited, our guys have worked hard all year and it was really cool to see all of our work pay off,” junior Caeleb Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson also took home the individual title after placing first in the State in the 132 pound division.
“We got our goal as a team, and I got my individual goal,” Hutchinson said. “I just stayed calm and relaxed and told myself it was just a normal match. You can’t get worked up about it or you’re going to throw yourself off.”
Other State placers included freshman Franke Force in the 106 pound division, placing fifth. Force was followed by freshman Jack Hutchinson in the 113 pound division, placing third, junior Cameron Coonrod in the 126 pound division, placing third, 150 pound senior Logan Lagerman, placing third, sophomore Max Evans-Pryor placing third in the 175 pound division, and senior Ben Uher placing sixth in the 190 pound division. Dobson and junior Brecken Crist-Funk placed second in their 144 pound and 215 pound divisions respectively.
“It felt pretty good, especially because last year I didn’t make it past the blood rounds,” Crist-Funk said. Freshman year, I wasn’t even on for State, so it felt pretty good coming from last year.”
While it was a tough loss for Crist-Funk and Dobson, they were proud of their performances overall.
“I was smiling during the match,” Dobson said. “Even though I lost, I was smiling after all, I just wanted to enjoy it.”
For the seniors, this is their last wrestling match as Manhattan High Indians.
“Some of my favorite moments will be spending the night at hotels with teammates and after all the losses, the talks with my coaches,” Dobson said. “They’re always there to help me up, especially after this loss.”
While the team is finished with their season, they also look forward to taking home the trophy again next year.
“We are pretty consistent all year, but rather than just laying back all season and relaxing and then trying to tighten everything down the last few weeks, we should just know what our goal is and work for it all year.”
The team plans to go visit the State Capitol building on Wednesday, March 12, to be recognized for their win.
