Jayhawk freshman Denton White puts a hold on Sabetha sophomore Caleb Renyer on Saturday. White won the match on a major 12-0 decision. (Theresa White/Special to the Journal)
HAYS – Jayhawk-Linn freshman Denton White won three of his six matches at the Class 3A-1A State Wrestling Championship tournament at Hays on Saturday, good enough to earn a sixth-place medal.
Junior Andres Flores also qualified for state, but still dealing with an injury he suffered in the regionals the week before, he was not able to compete.
White, with a season record of 40 wins and eight losses, won his first round on Friday on a 9-4 decision, but went on to lose his second round match on a 10-9 decision to sophomore Kash Schlitz (33-11) of Hoxie, who went on to take a second-place medal for the 106-pound weight class.
In the consolation bracket on Saturday, White downed two opponents, one by a 12-0 decision and a second by a pin two minutes and 52 seconds into the match.
That set up White’s match against Benson Eggleston (34-6), a sophomore from Herrington. Eggleston, who ended the tournament with a fourth-place medal, was able to pin White at 1:29.
Wrestling for fifth place against sophomore Tate Blackwill of Quintner, White lost a 9-3 decision to give him the sixth-place medal.
“Denton had a good weekend at the state tournament,” said coach Brett Kramer. “He becomes Jayhawk-Linn's first ever freshman state placer in wrestling and first wrestler to earn 40 wins in a season.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association awarded 336 wrestling medals over the weekend, and only 37 freshmen medaled, Kramer said.
“For Denton to be one of 37 was impressive,” he added. “Denton is super competitive and I know he wanted to be in the finals, but placing as a freshman was a great accomplishment.
Kramer also said he counts on Flores being back on the mat next year.
“Dre is extremely tough, and he demonstrated that toughness at the regional tournament,” Kramer said. “Unfortunately his injury kept him out of the state tournament. I know Dre will be back and determined to win a State Championship next year.”
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