Emporia High School still has 12 wrestlers competing for a spot on the podium after day one at the 5A state wrestling tournament in Park City.
Returning state champions Alexa Castillo (170) and Kensley Medrano (120), reached the championship semi-finals before Medrano was defeated 8-5 in overtime by Brynlee Morris of Shawnee Heights while Castillo lost via technical fall to Kansas City Washington’s Jada Hawkins.
Medrano and Castillo now fall to the consolation side of the bracket but are guaranteed a spot on the podium and could finish as high as 3rd.
Four other Lady Spartans also found their way to the consolation side of the bracket and will need two wins Saturday to place. Starting off competition on Saturday for the Lady Spartans will be Chloe Steele (100), Dixie Heins (110), Araceli Aleman (135), Yaneli Caranza (145), and Zoey Smith (235) who all went 1-1 Friday.
Mauriana Atkins (155) and Kynlee Maxfield (115) went 0-2 Friday and were eliminated from competition. Sienna Spaulding (105) and Ahtziri Hernandez (190) both had injury defaults at the start of the tournament and will not take to the mat this weekend.
On the boys side, Takeo Medrano (106), Kolton Wyatt (113), Bryan Cubias (132), Holden Timmons (138), Garrett LeBlanc (165) and Jose Vargas (285) were 1-1 on day one and fall to the back half of the bracket Saturday. Jackson Goodman (144) was 0-2 Friday and eliminated from competition.
Second round consolation matches will begin at 9 am Saturday.
