Only one Tiger still alive at State wrestling

SALINA, Kan. -- As a whole, the 2008 Kansas Class 4A State Wrestling Tournament will not be a great experience for Fort Scott High School's entrants. Only one of the four Tiger wrestlers was still active after the first day of action at the Bicentennial Center here Friday.

Senior Blake Nelson, wrestling at 171, was the only Tiger who remained alive to wrestle on Saturday. In his first-round match, Nelson lost an 11-4 decision to Concorida's Tyler Hasenbank. That put him into the consolation bracket, where he was to face Chase Rust of Eudora. However, Rust had to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury and Nelson advanced via default. In his first match on Saturday, Nelson was scheduled to face Gabe Mason of El Dorado.

In order to earn a medal, Nelson had to win at least his first two matches on Saturday. If he could do that, he would finish no worse than sixth.

Fort Scott's other three wrestlers were eliminated in two matches starting with sophomore Justin Sharp, the Tigers' 112 pounder. He was pinned in his first-round match by Symon Seaton of Basehor-Linwood at four minutes, 19 seconds. Seaton is ranked No. 2 in this weight class by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association.

In consolation, Sharp came up just short in his bid to stay alive in the tournament as Chanute's Mat Coles took a 15-12 decision.

Denzell Davis, a sophomore at 119 pounds, was the victim of a technical fall in his match with Ryne Cokeley of Lenexa St. James Academy. He was trailing 20-3 when the match was stopped. Cokeley, a freshman, is the No. 3-ranked wrestler in this class.

Davis also lost a high-scoring match in consolation. Ben Thoman of Andale took an 18-10 major decision, eliminating Davis.

Michael Durossette, a 125-pound sophomore, was also defeated by a technical fall in his opening match. Quinton Ford, of Prairie View, ranked No. 2 by the KWCA, had a 15-0 lead when the match was stopped. Colton Miller of Perry-Lecompton took a 12-4 major decision in consolation to eliminate Durossette.

Action at the tournament concluded Saturday night with the championship finals.