CPHS Wrestling: Sandites fall 38-30 to Kansas 5A State Champions, Goddard High
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The defending Oklahoma 6A State Champions from Charles Page High School (10-3) managed to defeat the Arkansas 7A State Champions on day one of the Third Annual Ram Duals, but on day two they were narrowly defeated by the reigning 5A Champions from Kansas. Nationally-ranked No. 48 Goddard High School overwhelmed an injury ridden team of young Sandites to knock the defending tournament champs out of contention for the title.
Cayleb Atkins won a 7-2 decision over Scott Patton (20-16 season, 27-18 career) in the opening match, Nolan Craine pinned Chris Kirby (14-5) in 25 seconds, and the Lions didn’t give up their lead till ten matches later.
Kaleb Tabor (18-8) got Sand Springs on the board at 152 by pinning Dalton Pruitt in 1:26, but Goddard won their next four matches. State Qualifier Trevor Dopps pinned Braydon Dahl (0-2) in 3:55, State Runner-Up Troy Fisher won a 19-6 major decision against Dayvon Taylor (16-15), State Qualifier Austin Andres pinned Noah Almy (3-5, 27-25) in 0:43, and Cayden Atkins won an 8-3 decision over Josh Fincannon (8-12) for a 28-6 lead.
Gage Fain (14-6, 53-44) returned from injury to win an 8-2 decision over Trenton Willert, Robbie Parrish (1-9) received a forfeit, then Carter Young (29-1) topped State Qualifier Jason Henschel 6-0 to cut the deficit to 28-18.
State Champion Riley Weir (19-6, 81-24) easily handed State Qualifier Lucas Glover a pin in 1:27 and Seth Jones (19-12, 21-15) gave the Sandites their first lead of the morning by pinning Isaiah Holmes in 3:01 to make it 30-28.
Colton Roberts (3-6) was well matched against Jace Fisher but gave up an escape and a takedown after a scoreless first period. Both wrestlers reversed and the Lion came up with back points for a 9-2 lead. Fisher reversed again in the third for an 11-2 major decision for the 32-30 team lead.
The fate of the dual came down to Irwin Portillo (21-16, 27-21) against State Runner-Up Logan Pirl. Experience triumphed and the Lion secured the win with a fall in 5:10.
The Sandites won’t get to repeat their tournament title, but they can still compete for fifth place. They will wrestle the Kansas 6A State Champions from Manhattan, Kansas in the consolation semifinals, then will take on either 3A No. 2 Comanche or Shawnee Heights High School from Tecumseh, Kansas.
