Gavin Grater made history for the Riley County High School Wrestling program Saturday by winning the 182 lb. Class 3A State Championship at Gross Coliseum in Hays. When Grater defeated Clay Cosand of Mankato-Rock Hills, he became the first ever Falcon Wrestler to bring home a State Championship on a team coached by his brother Danny Grater. The Junior Wrestler finished 37-4 on the season by defeating Cosand in a 9-4 Decision.
Grater was one of two area Wrestlers in the Finals. Wamego’s Kyle Wilson came up just short in his bid for the 132 lb. Class 4A title at the Bicentennial Center in Salina as he lost a 5-2 decision to Kaleb Konitzer of LaCyngne-Prairie View. The Red Raider Senior finished his season with a 34-2 record.
Meanwhile after capturing last season’s Class 6A State Championship, Bob Gonzales’ Manhattan High Wrestling team placed 6th in the State Tournament at Wichita’s Hartman Areana. Several Tribe Wrestlers did place including Jase Stone who was 6th at 113 lbs., Kian Clemens 3rd at 120 lbs., Josh Mullin took 5th at 138 lbs., Davis Matthews was 5th at 145 lbs., Austin Chauncey was 3rd at 160 lbs. and Jordan Price was 6th at 195 lbs.
Wamego as a team placed 30th and Rock Creek was 43rd at the 4A meet while Marysville placed 8th, Riley County placed 24th, Onaga was 40th and Council Grove was 41st at the Class 3-2-1-A Meet.
Garden City was the State Champion in Class 6A, with Junction City placing second. Arkansas City won the 5A title, Holton took home the 4A crown and Norton won the Class 3-2-1A State Championship.