Centralia boys wrestling will be loaded this season.
The Panthers are packed with seven state medalists, including three state champions, on a roster that contains 10 seniors.
Among those …
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Centralia boys wrestling will be loaded this season.
The Panthers are packed with seven state medalists, including three state champions, on a roster that contains 10 seniors.
Among those senior state medalists are 120-pound state champion, two-time state champion, and three-time medalist Brayden Dubes, 160-pound state champion and three-time medalist Brayden Shelton, and 145-pound state champion and two-time medalist Kyden Wilkerson. Senior Jesse Shannon returns as a three-time state medalist after earning fifth at 132 pounds last year, and senior Seth Hasekamp took second at 285 pounds for the second straight year.
Head coach Luke Gramke said having so much talent and state experience will be helpful as Centralia integrates the younger wrestlers.
“We will rely heavily on our senior class,” Gramke said. “They have already had a tremendous amount of success and they look to continue to build upon that tradition.”
Junior Weston Ward returns as a back-to-back state medalist after finishing fourth in the 113-pound weight class a season ago, and sophomore Bryson Dubes was fifth at 106 pounds for his first career state medal.
Centralia having all seven Panthers medal led to the team finishing second in the team standings at 152 points behind Mid-Buchanan’s winning 171.5 points. It was its third consecutive state runner-up finish, which the Panthers have done every year since moving to Class 1 in 2019.
Centralia has three juniors on the roster along with six sophomores and five freshmen. Gramke believes the younger wrestlers are adjusting well so far and is eager to see how they do in Centralia’s first meet today at the Marceline Tiger Mat Classic.
“Practice has been going well and our younger or newer wrestlers are adjusting well to our room,” Gramke said. “Our focus at the beginning of each season is core positions. Making sure our wrestlers have a solid foundation to build upon.
“We have the potential to be solid across our entire lineup. We will need to ensure that individuals are managing weight appropriately during the season.”
