Regional Champs!!! Cowboy Wrestlers send Eight to State
Feb. 20—The Abilene Cowboys wrestling team made a long trip out west to the Colby 4ARegional Tournament well worth it, as they claimed their second consecutive team regional wrestling championship.
It was a total team effort in doing so, as every Abilene wrestler contributed by winning at least one match. Highlighting the effort for the Cowboys were four individual weight class champions in 126 pound freshman Murphy Randolph, 150 pound junior Joseph Welsh, 157 pound senior Tucker Cell, and 285 pound senior Jacob Hanback. Four other individuals also placed in the top four and qualified for state were 113 pound junior Gage Taylor who finished in second place, 144 pound junior Parker Farr who finished in third place, 165 pound junior Landon Taplin who finished in third place, and 138 pound freshman Dayven Cuba who finished in fourth place.
Senior Tucker Cell dominated his competition and earned the "Most Outstanding Wrestler" of the Regional Tournament. Cell would pin all of his opponents in the first period, including three matches that were over in seconds. With the victories, Cell has now qualified for State all four years and looks to add to his individual honors as he already owns two individual state championships, and a third place finish.
Freshman Murphy Randolph at 126 pounds continued his incredible season as he remained undefeated on the year. Randolph earned a major decision in the championship final, while pinning his way through the bracket.
Junior Joseph Welsh returns to the state tournament, this time as a Regional Champion. Welsh earned a pair of pins in the first two rounds, and moved on by way of a decision victory, and an injury default in the final.
Possibly the biggest win for the Abilene team came at 285 pounds where senior Jacob Hanback earned a Regional Championship. Hanback impressively has had success in this his first full season on the mat, after an early season injury a year ago kept him out the entire season during his fist year of wrestling.
Qualifying for the State Tournament for their second year in a row is 113 pound junior Gage Taylor, and 165 pound junior Landon Taplin. Taylor earned a second place tournament as he lost by major decision in the Championship match. Taplin rebounded nicely for a third place finish after falling in the championship semifinals.
Also earning their first trip to the state tournament was junior 144 pounder Parker Farr who finished in third place, and freshman 138 pounder Dayven Cuba who finished in fourth place.
The upcoming State Tournament held in Salina will be featuring a new schedule this year as it will combine both the 4A and 3A, 2A, 1A boys and girls tournaments all combined on the same days. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday February 22nd through Saturday February 24th with the finals scheduled on Saturday.
KSHSAA 4A Regional Colby Results for Abilene
113 — Gage Taylor (21-10) placed 2nd and scored 19.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal — Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 won by fall over Noah Garcia (McPherson) 12-20 (Fall 2:50)
Semifinal — Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 won by major decision over Blaize Charbonneau (Clay Center Community) 24-14 (MD 9-1)
1st Place Match — Ryder Dempewolf (Colby) 40-2 won by major decision over Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 (MD 14-2)
126 — Murphy Randolph (32-0) placed 1st and scored 27.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by fall over Keaton Crane (McPherson) 11-19 (Fall 1:03)
Quarterfinal — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by fall over Beau Bussman (Marysville) 17-8 (Fall 1:04)
Semifinal — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by fall over Colton Bell (Chapman) 17-10 (Fall 1:06)
1st Place Match — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by major decision over Matthew Wheeler (Scott Community) 23-10 (MD 11-2)
138 — Dayven Cuba (26-11) placed 4th and scored 7.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal — Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses) 30-8 won by decision over Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 (Dec 7-5)
Cons. Round 2 — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 3 — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 won by decision over Drew Sterrett (Concordia) 32-12 (Dec 1-0)
Cons. Semi — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 won by decision over Alex Rodriguez (Scott Community) 31-16 (Dec 8-1)
3rd Place Match — Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses) 30-8 won by decision over Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 (Dec 5-3)
144 — Parker Farr (33-9) placed 3rd and scored 15.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by fall over Carter Boesker (McPherson) 4-8 (Fall 1:03)
Quarterfinal — Carter Trimble (Marysville) 34-9 won by decision over Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 (Dec 3-1)
Cons. Round 2 — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by major decision over Jakorian Crain (Lindsborg-Smoky Valley) 12-16 (MD 12-3)
Cons. Round 3 — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by decision over Zane Poulsen (Hugoton) 20-17 (Dec 5-1)
Cons. Semi — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by decision over Ayden Presson (Scott Community) 29-11 (Dec 8-2)
3rd Place Match — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by decision over Carter Trimble (Marysville) 34-9 (Dec 2-1
150- Joseph Welsh (34-2) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by fall over McCager Wright (Colby) 11-16 (Fall 1:30)
Quarterfinal — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by fall over Jace Keen (Goodland) 11-23 (Fall 1:22)
Semifinal — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by decision over Drake Blochlinger (Concordia) 34-13 (Dec 6-4)
1st Place Match — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by injury default over Collin McDaniel (Scott Community) 23-2 (Inj. 5:37)
157 — Tucker Cell (32-1) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Dallas Garza (Ulysses) 8-20 (Fall 0:31)
Quarterfinal — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Christian Erickson (Lindsborg-Smoky Valley) 26-19 (Fall 0:16)
Semifinal — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Aidan McKinney (St. George-Rock Creek) 31-7 (Fall 1:38)
1st Place Match — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Hayden Farley (McPherson) 36-8 (Fall 0:24)
165 — Landon Taplin (25-6) placed 3rd and scored 14.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 won by fall over Landon Thompson (McPherson) 26-11 (Fall 2:46)
Semifinal — Talyn Pfizenmaier (Clay Center Community) 28-1 won by decision over Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 (Dec 3-1)
Cons. Semi — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 won by decision over Mason Eickmann (Concordia) 31-13 (Dec 3-0)
3rd Place Match — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 won by decision over Landon Thompson (McPherson) 26-11 (Dec 1-0)
285 — Jacob Hanback (17-14) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 won by fall over Emilio Guzman (Ulysses) 6-8 (Fall 2:26)
Semifinal — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 won by fall over Carter Spotted-Elk (McPherson) 22-12 (Fall 3:23)
1st Place Match — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 won by decision over Mason Mellies (Clay Center Community) 9-12 (Dec 3-2)
KSHSAA 4A Regional Colby Results for Abilene
106
Leonardo Rodriguez (13-19) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Christian Belden (Concordia) 27-6 won by fall over Leonardo Rodriguez (Abilene) 13-19 (Fall 1:51)
* Cons. Round 1 — Leonardo Rodriguez (Abilene) 13-19 received a bye () (Bye)
* Cons. Round 2 — Leonardo Rodriguez (Abilene) 13-19 won by major decision over Xander Rhymer (Colby) 1-10 (MD 14-5)
* Cons. Round 3 — John Robben (McPherson) 19-15 won by decision over Leonardo Rodriguez (Abilene) 13-19 (Dec 9-4)
113
Gage Taylor (21-10) placed 2nd and scored 19.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 received a bye () (Bye)
* Quarterfinal — Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 won by fall over Noah Garcia (McPherson) 12-20 (Fall 2:50)
* Semifinal — Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 won by major decision over Blaize Charbonneau (Clay Center Community) 24-14 (MD 9-1)
* 1st Place Match — Ryder Dempewolf (Colby) 40-2 won by major decision over Gage Taylor (Abilene) 21-10 (MD 14-2)
126
Murphy Randolph (32-0) placed 1st and scored 27.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by fall over Keaton Crane (McPherson) 11-19 (Fall 1:03)
* Quarterfinal — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by fall over Beau Bussman (Marysville) 17-8 (Fall 1:04)
* Semifinal — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by fall over Colton Bell (Chapman) 17-10 (Fall 1:06)
* 1st Place Match — Murphy Randolph (Abilene) 32-0 won by major decision over Matthew Wheeler (Scott Community) 23-10 (MD 11-2)
132
Cael Casteel (29-7) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Cael Casteel (Abilene) 29-7 received a bye () (Bye)
* Quarterfinal — Morgan Brumfield (Clay Center Community) 34-11 won by fall over Cael Casteel (Abilene) 29-7 (Fall 4:25)
* Cons. Round 2 — Cael Casteel (Abilene) 29-7 won by fall over Zaylund Lee (Wamego) 6-21 (Fall 1:54)
* Cons. Round 3 — Carter Eakins (Concordia) 32-12 won by fall over Cael Casteel (Abilene) 29-7 (Fall 2:24)
138
Dayven Cuba (26-11) placed 4th and scored 7.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 received a bye () (Bye)
* Quarterfinal — Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses) 30-8 won by decision over Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 (Dec 7-5)
* Cons. Round 2 — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 received a bye () (Bye)
* Cons. Round 3 — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 won by decision over Drew Sterrett (Concordia) 32-12 (Dec 1-0)
* Cons. Semi — Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 won by decision over Alex Rodriguez (Scott Community) 31-16 (Dec 8-1)
* 3rd Place Match — Jaxsen Salinas (Ulysses) 30-8 won by decision over Dayven Cuba (Abilene) 26-11 (Dec 5-3)
144
Parker Farr (33-9) placed 3rd and scored 15.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by fall over Carter Boesker (McPherson) 4-8 (Fall 1:03)
* Quarterfinal — Carter Trimble (Marysville) 34-9 won by decision over Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 (Dec 3-1)
* Cons. Round 2 — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by major decision over Jakorian Crain (Lindsborg-Smoky Valley) 12-16 (MD 12-3)
* Cons. Round 3 — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by decision over Zane Poulsen (Hugoton) 20-17 (Dec 5-1)
* Cons. Semi — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by decision over Ayden Presson (Scott Community) 29-11 (Dec 8-2)
* 3rd Place Match — Parker Farr (Abilene) 33-9 won by decision over Carter Trimble (Marysville) 34-9 (Dec 2-1)
150
Joseph Welsh (34-2) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by fall over McCager Wright (Colby) 11-16 (Fall 1:30)
* Quarterfinal — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by fall over Jace Keen (Goodland) 11-23 (Fall 1:22)
* Semifinal — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by decision over Drake Blochlinger (Concordia) 34-13 (Dec 6-4)
* 1st Place Match — Joseph Welsh (Abilene) 34-2 won by injury default over Collin McDaniel (Scott Community) 23-2 (Inj. 5:37)
157
Tucker Cell (32-1) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Dallas Garza (Ulysses) 8-20 (Fall 0:31)
* Quarterfinal — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Christian Erickson (Lindsborg-Smoky Valley) 26-19 (Fall 0:16)
* Semifinal — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Aidan McKinney (St. George-Rock Creek) 31-7 (Fall 1:38)
* 1st Place Match — Tucker Cell (Abilene) 32-1 won by fall over Hayden Farley (McPherson) 36-8 (Fall 0:24)
165
Landon Taplin (25-6) placed 3rd and scored 14.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 received a bye () (Bye)
* Quarterfinal — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 won by fall over Landon Thompson (McPherson) 26-11 (Fall 2:46)
* Semifinal — Talyn Pfizenmaier (Clay Center Community) 28-1 won by decision over Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 (Dec 3-1)
* Cons. Semi — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 won by decision over Mason Eickmann (Concordia) 31-13 (Dec 3-0)
* 3rd Place Match — Landon Taplin (Abilene) 25-6 won by decision over Landon Thompson (McPherson) 26-11 (Dec 1-0)
175
Pierce Casteel (18-12) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Pierce Casteel (Abilene) 18-12 won by major decision over Esteban Alvarado (Colby) 13-12 (MD 14-2)
* Quarterfinal — Parker Gardner (Lindsborg-Smoky Valley) 33-3 won by decision over Pierce Casteel (Abilene) 18-12 (Dec 12-6)
* Cons. Round 2 — Pierce Casteel (Abilene) 18-12 won by fall over Nick Allen (St. George-Rock Creek) 30-13 (Fall 2:10)
* Cons. Round 3 — Pierce Casteel (Abilene) 18-12 won by decision over Carter Wassenberg (Marysville) 29-10 (Dec 5-0)
* Cons. Semi — Talon Conrad (Wamego) 23-12 won by fall over Pierce Casteel (Abilene) 18-12 (Fall 2:12)
190
Sergio Alaniz (13-18) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Sergio Alaniz (Abilene) 13-18 received a bye () (Bye)
* Quarterfinal — Tucker Jackson (Clay Center Community) 35-2 won by tech fall over Sergio Alaniz (Abilene) 13-18 (TF-1.5 2:54 (18-3))
* Cons. Round 2 — Sergio Alaniz (Abilene) 13-18 won by medical forfeit over Gavin Vogelsberg (Marysville) 6-12 (M. For.)
* Cons. Round 3 — Daniel Tinoco (Hugoton) 18-8 won by fall over Sergio Alaniz (Abilene) 13-18 (Fall 3:41)
215
Heath Hoekman (15-11) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Heath Hoekman (Abilene) 15-11 won by fall over Cole Greenwood (St. George-Rock Creek) 14-16 (Fall 1:33)
* Quarterfinal — Jake Meyer (Wamego) 25-6 won by fall over Heath Hoekman (Abilene) 15-11 (Fall 1:48)
* Cons. Round 2 — Heath Hoekman (Abilene) 15-11 won by fall over Conner Smith-Bolin (Lindsborg-Smoky Valley) 17-21 (Fall 1:22)
* Cons. Round 3 — Carmelo Orosco (Ulysses) 32-10 won by fall over Heath Hoekman (Abilene) 15-11 (Fall 2:20)
285
Jacob Hanback (17-14) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.
* Champ. Round 1 — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 received a bye () (Bye)
* Quarterfinal — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 won by fall over Emilio Guzman (Ulysses) 6-8 (Fall 2:26)
* Semifinal — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 won by fall over Carter Spotted-Elk (McPherson) 22-12 (Fall 3:23)
* 1st Place Match — Jacob Hanback (Abilene) 17-14 won by decision over Mason Mellies (Clay Center Community) 9-12 (Dec 3-2)
