Cyphers plays against OU; Emporia wrestlers dominate

Former Wichita Southeast standout Jordan Cyphers saw some time on the court in the Utah men’s basketball game Saturday at Oklahoma.

He scored 3 points in the Utes’ first season matchup with a Big 12 opponent. OU won 70-52.
Cyphers averages 4.7 points and 1 rebound for Utah, which is 5-4 on the season.

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The Emporia wrestlers continue to prove that they deserve their top ranking in Class 5A on the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association list.

Emporia won the dual tournament at Valley Center, which also included Derby and Heights (ranked among the top three in 6A) and Clay Center (the defending 4A state champ). Then the Spartans defeated Manhattan 55-21 in a dual. Manhattan, which placed third in 6A last year, is ranked No. 4 this season.

Two of Emporia’s wrestlers, Sal Tovar and Mark Kolmer, are the top-ranked athletes at their weight in 5A. Tovar placed second at the state tournament to Bishop Carroll’s John Keller, and Kolmer placed second (as a sophomore) to Hutchinson’s four-time state champ, Romero Cotton.

Emporia and Carroll will each host their own tournaments Saturday in the finale to the first part of the season. Carroll’s visitors will include Heights and Salina South.

Salina South, ranked No. 7 in 5A, has a tough conclusion to the week. The Cougars, who placed just behind Emporia at state, will battle Goddard in a Thursday dual before closing out the month at Carroll’s tournament. Salina South’s roster includes defending state champion Blaine Smith, who has moved from 103 pounds to 119.