The Smoky Valley Vikings boys wrestling team competed at the 4A Regional in Abilene on Saturday. For the day, the Vikings qualified four individuals for the 4A State Tournament at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina on February 28 and March 1. Leading the pack was junior Parker Gardner who took home the regional gold with a 7-3 decision over Talon Conrad of Wamego in the championship match. Also qualifying for State were senior Deonte Crain (126#), freshman Rette Kreihbel (126#) and sophomore Christian Erickson (157#).
In all from the Ad Astra Radio area, 11 wrestlers qualified for State. Cruz Hershberger (144#) and Luke Kerns (165#) of Buhler also took home regional championships.
Full results and State qualifiers are below.
4A Regional A @ Abilene
Regional Champion: Abilene
Regional Runner-up: Colby
Area Individual Regional Champions
144#: Cruz Hershberger, Buhler (33-3) (d. Drew Sterrett, Concordia by fall in 5:39)
165#: Luke Kerns, Buhler (41-7) (d. Blaze Gossman, Scott City by technical fall in 3:40, 18-0)
215#: Parker Gardner, Smoky Valley (29-2) (d. Talon Conrad, Wamego by 7-3 decision)
Area Individual State Qualifiers
106#: 4. Konner Mills, Larned
120#: 4. Deonte Crain, Smoky Valley
126#: 4. Rette Krehbiel, Smoky Valley
132#: 2. Sammy Hershberger, Buhler
144#: 1. Hershberger, Buhler
157#: 4. Christian Erickson, Smoky Valley
165#: 1. Kerns, Buhler
175#: 4. Jase Fitzmorris, McPherson
190#: 4. Brock Richardson, McPherson
215#: 1. Gardner, Smoky Valley, 3. Catch DeLaney, McPherson
