Emporia High School placed five wrestlers at the 2024 State tournament in Park City this weekend.
Junior Isaiah Morales was the top placer for Emporia High finishing fourth After a loss by fall to Andover’s Coulter Rieschik. Morales advanced to the third place match with a 9-4 decision win over Jett Schwartz of Valley Center.
Morales said it was a good weekend in his first trip to state.
Senior Virginia Munoz (140), freshman Gabe Wassom (113), sophomore Alexa Castillo (235) and senior Josiah Bradley (285) all finished in sixth place. Wassom was defeated in the fifth place match 4-3 by Bishop Carroll’s Jackson Herman.
Bradley said it was a great final experience at state.
Munoz lost by fall in the second period of her fifth place matchup to Hailey Arthur of Olathe Northwest. Munoz finishes her career as a three time state placer. Munoz said she wanted to finish her career strong after losing her first round match.
Castillo would lose her fifth place match to Aaryn Krebs of Bonner Springs 4-1. Bradley would lose a 4-3 decision in triple overtime to Camden Jensen of Hutchinson.
Emporia High boys wrestling coach Brook Medrano said he’s proud of the way his wrestlers battled over the course of three days.
Emporia High girls wrestling coach Shawn Russell echoed Medrano on how proud he was of the Lady Spartans over the course of three days.
Out of the five placers, three will return with nine of the 12 state qualifers back for next season.
