Tigers sending three to State

CANEY -- Fort Scott High School will send three wrestlers to the Class 4A State Tournament at Salina this coming weekend. Juniors Denzell Davis, Justin Sharp and senior Lee Culbertson qualified after each finished in fourth place at the Caney Valley Class 4A Regional here last weekend.

"Super effort from all six wrestlers we were able to take," Fort Scott head coach David Brown said. "Anyone associated with Fort Scott High School wrestling current or in the past must recognize the hard work these young men put into this season. I am very proud of each and every one of them."

Davis qualified at 119 pounds, Sharp at 125 and Culbertson at 152 after each went 2-2. Blake Cowen was also 2-2 at 160 but didn't get as far in the bracket because he didn't receive a first-round bye.

Davis will go to State for the second time.

"He wrestled with more intensity and it paid off early with a huge challenge in his first match with Phillip Martin of Labette County," Brown said. "This was an exciting match with a 4-3 outcome in Davis' favor.

"In the semifinal match against Tim Wrestler of Chanute, Denzell was in a great position to win the match but admittedly his condition did not match the boy from Chanute and fatigue became costly in the third period."

Sharp also earned a second trip to State in what may have been the toughest bracket at 125.

"Justin faced maybe the most challenge with five very good wrestlers in his weight class," Brown said. "The key for Justin was his first match with Channing Hosey from LCHS. Hosey was 4-0 over the past two years against Justin. But today was Justin's day. In overtime Justin manufactured a great takedown to take the win and set the stage for a second trip to state.

"Justin has a great support system from parents, grandparents, brothers that many programs wish for that kind of family atmosphere"

Culbertson had not been to State before and this was his last chance to qualify.

"Lee worked countless hours out of season so this dream can come true," Brown said. "I am especially emotional in regards to Lee's situation. His parents were my classmates and I could see how the ups and downs over the past few years wear on them as it does on me."

Cowen was eliminated by Independence's Ryan Taylor in a consolation quarterfinal match that turned on a reversal with nine seconds left in the match."

"It was not so much what Blake did wrong but more what the Indy kid did right," Brown said.

Dane Cummings, a freshman, and Jesse Malveaux, a first-year junior, were each 0-2 at 171 and 189, respectively.

"Dane took the challenge and opportunity to compete at 171. even though he is weighing in at about 157," Brown said. "Dane struggled in his first match but rallied to perform well in his second.

"Jesse, in just his first year of wrestling, has made tremendous improvement."

Junior Michael Durossette was hoping to qualify for State a second time but had to withdraw due to an injury he suffered in practice Wednesday night.

The State Tournament will be held beginning Friday morning at the Bicentennial Center in Salina.

"Our season has seen its share of injuries that, if avoided, could have played a bigger part in our team finish," Brown said. "I am thrilled to find the true athletes of the sport of wrestling surviving the workouts and the tests on and off the mat that make a complete athlete and citizen."

Fort Scott scored 36 points as a team, finishing 11th in the 15-team field. Chanute was the champion with 184 points followed by Columbus with 146 1/2 and Augusta with 143.

More details on each wrestler:

Denzell Davis, 119

1st round: Bye.

Quarterfinals: Dec. over Phillip Martin, Labette County.

Semifinals: Lost to Tim Wrestler, Chanute, dec.

Consolation semifinals: Dec. over Mitch Landis, Mulvane.

Third-place match: Lost to Tayln Feller, El Dorado, pin.

Justin Sharp, 125

1st round: Bye.

Quarterfinal: Dec. over Channing Hosey, Labette County.

Semifinal: Lost to Kyle Johnson, Columbus, dec.

Consolation semifinal: Dec. over Seth Gunter, Mulvane.

Third-place match: Lost to Troy Clark, Chanute, dec..

Lee Culbertson, 152

1st round: Bye.

Quarterfinals: Pined Damion Tinnin, Columbus.

Semifinals: Lost to Jack Defenbaugh, Mulvane, dec.

Consolation semifinals: Dec. over Brandon Swe, Augusta.

Blake Cowen, 160

1st round: Pinned Jacob Uden, Chanute.

Quarterfinals: Lost to Dylan Hagerman, technical fall.

Consolation 2nd round: Pinned Paul Morris, Columbus.

Consolation quarterfinal: Lost to Ryan Taylor, Independence, dec.

Dane Cummings, 171

1st round: Lost to Wade Rivera, Mulvane, pin.

Consolation 1st round: Bye.

Consolation 2nd round: Lost to Reid Bruce, El Dorado.

Jesse Malveaux, 189

1st round: Lost to Kody Scott, Mulvane, pin.

Consolation 1st round: Bye.

Consolation 2nd round: Lost to Colter Thoma, Towanda-Circle, pin.