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KSHSAA boys wrestling state championships: Top Topeka-area wrestlers, schedule

The Kansas State High School Activities Association boys wrestling state championships will start later this week as the three-day event begins Thursday with competitions hosted in Salina and Park City.

Here is a look at some of the Topeka-area standouts, plus the schedule and locations.

Easton Broxterman, Washburn Rural

The junior is 45-1 overall and is not only the No. 1-ranked 132-pound wrestler in Class 6A, but also across all classifications for the weight class. Broxterman won the state title at 113 last season and is primed for another state run as after a commanding regional finish. He won his first two matches via pin and took the title due to a medical forfeit.

Washburn Rural's Easton Broxterman waits for the whistle in his state title match on Saturday at Hartman Arena.
Washburn Rural's Easton Broxterman waits for the whistle in his state title match on Saturday at Hartman Arena.

Brody Byrne, Washburn Rural

The senior is 33-3 overall and the No. 1 wrestler at 157 pounds. Byrne took fourth place in last season’s state championships, but he is hoping for more this weekend. He is coming off a dominating performance in the regional tournament, where secured the individual title with all four of his victories coming via pin.

Rykan Carver, Shawnee Heights

The senior will try to better his performance compared to last year’s state meet. Carver went 2-2 at last year’s finale. He comes into this state meet with momentum after winning the 285-pound regional title on Saturday.

Logan Courtois, Burlingame

The sophomore is ranked No. 8 at 132 pounds statewide and second in Class 3A as he holds a record of 39-1. Courtois is coming off a regional title on Saturday as he defeated his first two opponents via pin. He won the title match with an 8-2 decision over Sabetha’s Cullen Wikle. Last year, he came was the 113-pound state runner-up.

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Landen Kocher-Munoz has high hopes for his high school wrestling career and got it started with a state title as a freshman.
Landen Kocher-Munoz has high hopes for his high school wrestling career and got it started with a state title as a freshman.

Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural

The sophomore returns to the state tournament after winning the title at 120 pounds. This season, he has moved up in weight classes and is the No. 2-ranked 138-pound wrestler in Class 6A. Kocher-Munoz is 33-4 and coming off a regional title on Saturday.

Barrett Lietz, Rossville

The senior is the lone wrestler to represent Rossville in this year’s state tournament. He finished second in Saturday’s regional championship after coming up clutch with a pin and a 3-0 decision victory in his first two matches to clinch a state berth. He will look to make some noise this weekend in the 215-pound division.

Silver Lake’s Blake Redmond celebrates after winning a match in the Class 4A Regional D Championship on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Silver Lake’s Blake Redmond celebrates after winning a match in the Class 4A Regional D Championship on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Blake Redmond, Silver Lake

The senior and Washburn University football signee has had a tremendous season at 32-9 overall and a regional championship at 157. Redmond earned a 5-1 decision victory in the championship match for an important win for Silver Lake.

Tanner Sleichter, Santa Fe Trail

The sophomore is the top-ranked 106-pound wrestler in Class 4A and is seventh across all classes with a 22-2 record. Sleichter took second place in Saturday’s regional, losing the title match to Tonganoxie’s Tyler Chrisp via pin. Still, Sleichter is expected to make an impact this weekend for Santa Fe Trail.

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Kansas boys wrestling state championship locations

Class 6-5A - Park City, Hartman Arena

Class 4-1A - Salina, Tony’s Pizza Events Center

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Kansas boys wrestling state championship schedule

All times Central. 

Thursday, Feb. 15. 

9:00 a.m - Class 4A and 5A first round of competition, championship quarterfinals and consolation first round

5:15 p.m. - Class 3-2-1A and 6A first round of competition, championship quarterfinal and consolation first found

Friday, Feb. 23.

9:00 a.m. - Class 4A and 5A consolation second round, championship semi-finals and consolation quarterfinals

2:00 p.m. - Class 3-2-1A and 6A consolation second round, championship semi-final and consolation quarterfinals

Saturday, Feb. 24. 

9:00 a.m. - All classifications consolation semi-final, fifth place matches, third place matches, championship finals

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas high school boys wrestling: 2024 state preview for Topeka