Top 5A wrestling teams gain momentum

Three of the four top teams in Class 5A won their league wrestling tournaments, gaining valuable momentum for regional wrestling this weekend.

Emporia, which has earned 25 of the past 28 Centennial League titles, reclaimed its position as league leader after Manhattan won the championship last season. The Spartans are the No. 1 team in Class 5A, according to the Kansas wrestling coaches’ rankings.

Valley Center, ranked No. 3, and Liberal, No. 4, each won their fourth league championship in a row. Valley Center went undefeated in the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League’s Division II, and Liberal prevailed in the Western Athletic Conference.

Of the top four teams in 5A, only Bishop Carroll – ranked No. 2 – did not win its league. Carroll, which had triumphed with at least a share of the City League title eight years in a row, fell to Wichita Heights in their last dual of the season. Carroll again lost to Heights – by only 1.5 points – at the league wrestling tournament.

Andover Central, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, will host a regional tournament Feb. 20 and 21. Perhaps the most competitive 5A regional will be at Liberal. The Redskins will host seven other teams, including some familiar ranked foes – Bishop Carroll and Valley Center.

The closest regionals to the Wichita area will be a 6A tournament at Wichita Heights and the 5A tourney at Andover Central. One change awaits 5A wrestlers who advance to state. After 6A and 5A competition traditionally had taken place at the Kansas Coliseum, last year’s 5A state tournament was held at Hutchinson High School while the 6A battles took place at Koch Arena. This season, 6A and 5A will be back at the Coliseum.