MHS - Wrestling / February 28, 2024 By Kasey McDowell
The KSHSAA wrestling state tournaments looked a bit different this year as the 4-1A girls, the 4A boys, and the 3-1A boys tournaments were all held on the same days in Salina. The Wildcats took 6 wrestlers to state after they qualified in the regional tournaments the week before. Seniors Austin Vanderhoof, Noah West, and Loren Gonzalez. Junior Leiannah Landreth, and freshman Mackenzie Rogers.
Junior Leiannah Landreth came into the tournament as the number 2 seed of the 120 lb weight class. Landreth won her first match by fall over Shaelyn Nibarger from Altamont-Labette County in 1 minute 10 seconds. Leiannah won her second match over Maggie Holle from Atwood-Rawlins County by fall in the second period. In her semifinal match, she pinned Kadynce Axelson from Chanute who was 42-2 on the year in the third period, which put Landreth in the championship match. There she faced Kendra Hurla from Rossville, who was undefeated on the year and a 3-time state champion. Leiannah was ahead in points most of the match until the final 10 or 15 seconds of the third period when Kendra was able to win the match by fall. This match between these two great wrestlers was by far the best match of the women's finals. Landreth finished on the podium with a second-place medal. This is Leiannah's third state medal of her career.
Rogers had a tough road in the 145 lb class as she faced the number 1 seed Jaden Ney from Russel who was 38-0. Mackenzie's second match was very close and went all three rounds, but she fell by decision 1-4, which eliminated her from the tournament. Gonzalez was pinned in her first match in the 170 lb class, but she bounced back and won her second match by fall over Sienna Jones from Wabaunsee, but in her third match she fell by fall to Brylie Schaub from Fort Scott.
On the boys side, junior Koehn Dietrich started off the tournament with a tech fall over Isaiah Peachey from Hugoton with a 15-0 win. In his second match, Koehn lost by fall to Bryson Rockers from Paola, in a bit of coincidence, is the son of Nate Rockers who used to live and attend Mulvane in his youth. In the consolation bracket, Koehn had a huge win over Jessy Gimple from Augusta in 1 minute 26 seconds and then had a lightning-fast pin of Gage Taylor from Abilene to secure a spot on the podium. In the consolation semi's, Koehn fell to Trenton Richwine from Rose Hill which put him in the 5th place match which Koehn won by medical forfeit over Storm Rieck from Girard. Koehn earned his second state medal of his career.
In the 190 lb bracket, senior Noah West won his first match over Tracer Murdock from Concordia by fall in 1 minute 12 seconds but lost his second match by fall to Ashton Moore from Louisburg. In the consolation bracket, Noah won his next match by fall over Alonzo Burke of Frontenac late in the second period. In the heartbreak round, Noah fell to Mack Morin from Winfield by a 3-6 decision in a very close and great match.
In the 215 lb bracket, senior Austin Vanderhoof fell by decision to Josh Goodwin of Lacygne-Prairie View in a 2-8 final score. In the consolation bracket, Austin won his next match by fall over Tage Skocny of Santa Fe Trail by fall in 38 seconds. In another very close and exciting match, Austin fell to Cole Rogers of Rose Hill by an 8-11 decision.
4A Boys Team Scores
1. Rose Hill - 157.5
2. Tonganoxie - 127.0
3. Paola - 119.0
4. Clay Center - 90.0
5. Andale - 85.5
6. Abilene - 79.0
7. Scott Community - 68.5
8. Colby - 67.0
9. Independence - 58.5
10. Holton - 57.0
11. Augusta - 56.0
12. Fort Scott - 54.0
12. Wamego - 54.0
14. McPherson - 51.0
15. Winfield - 48.5
16. Santa Fe Trail - 48.0
17. Pratt - 47.0
18. Ottawa - 37.5
19. Baldwin - 37.0
19. Shawnee Mission-Bishop Miege - 37.0
19. Ulysses - 37.0
22. Buhler - 27.0
23. Mulvane - 26.5
24. Coffeyville-Field Kinley - 24.0
25. Halstead - 23.0
26. Altamont-Labette County - 20.0
27. Frontenac - 19.0
27. Garnett-Anderson County - 19.0
27. Holcomb - 19.0
30. Louisburg - 16.0
31. Columbus - 14.0
31. Marysville - 14.0
33. Chanute - 11.0
34. Concordia - 9.0
35. Topeka-Hayden - 8.0
36. Burlington - 7.0
36. Girard - 7.0
36. Meriden-Jefferson West - 7.0
39. Silver Lake - 5.0
40. El Dorado - 4.0
40. Lacygne-Prairie View - 4.0
42. Hugoton - 3.5
43. Anthony/Harper-Chaparral - 3.0
43. Lindsborg-Smoky Valley - 3.0
43. Nickerson - 3.0
43. St. George-Rock Creek - 3.0
47. Atchison - 2.0
47. Osawatomie - 2.0
49. Kansas City-Bishop Ward - 1.0
49. Towanda-Circle - 1.0
51. Cheney - 0.0
51. Clearwater - 0.0
51. Iola - 0.0
51. Parsons - 0.0
51. Wellington - 0.0
Koehn Dietrich (38-10) placed 5th and scored 16.5 team points.
Noah West (23-10) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.
Austin Vanderhoof (26-12) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Leiannah Landreth (36-3) placed 2nd and scored 24.0 team points.
Makenzie Rogers (19-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
Loren Gonzalez (16-11) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
