Six Championships in a Row
Launch the media gallery 1 playerSix Championships in a Row
By Lily Bird
The Hoxie Indian boys wrestling team won their sixth consecutive state championship title in Hays this past weekend on February 28. The Indians brought eleven wrestlers to compete in the tournament, with ten of them placing in the top six. Qualifiers included freshmen Porter Meyer and Simon Watkins, sophomores Beau Koster, Bradyn Wilson, Carter Giancola, Noah Nickelson, and Travis Johnson, juniors Chase Meyer, Gunner Wente, Mathew Bretz, and senior Ian Giancola. As a team, the boys won the tournament, outscoring second place by 97.5 points. Both Bradyn Wilson and Ian Giancola took first place in their individual brackets without losing a match in the tournament. Carter Giancola and Travis Johnson both had a record of 3-1 on the weekend and earned second place in their weight class. Beau Koster took third place in the tournament with a final record of 4-1, and Porter Meyer, Noah Nickelson, and Chase Meyer all finished the tournament in fourth place with records of 3-2. Simon Watkins and Mathew Bretz rounded out the tournament in sixth place, and they both had records of 3-3. Gunner Wente wrestled hard and earned his team points, but did not place. “I thought everybody wrestled very well and keeping the streak of winning six team titles feels good,” said Ian Giancola. “I couldn’t be more proud of this team.”
On the girls' side of the state tournament, the Lady Indians brought three wrestlers to state: Keiley Kincaid, Molly Rahier, and Josie Bell. This has been the most girls Hoxie has brought to a State tournament. Josie Bell placed second in her weight class with an overall record of 3-1. Molly Rahier went 2-2 on the weekend, with her final loss happening in the heartbreak round, and Keiley Kincaid went 0-2 at her first-ever state tournament appearance. Junior Josie Bell shared, “I thought the weekend went really good with the team. For me personally, I wish it went way differently, but it’ll be revenge time next year.”