Tough time for Tigers

State Wrestling

Tough time for Tigers

SALINA -- Only one member of Fort Scott High's contingent at the Kansas Class 4A State Wrest-ling Tournament made it through to the second day of competition here Saturday. But that does not mean that no one had a valuable experience, according to FSHS head coach David Brown.

Denzell Davis, a junior, was able to advance to a Saturday consolation cross-bracketing match at 119 pounds. But he lost that match by pinfall. Davis was the only member of the Tigers to win a match at State this season.

"Denzell faced a former champ (Nathan Furches of Clearwater) who succeeded in capturing his second crown," Brown said. "I know Denzell is athletically gifted and can make his senior effort to a state medal a reality with a new focus in the off season."

Justin Sharp, another junior, wrestled at 125 pounds and was 0-2.

"Justin faced a previous state champion who would later be beaten out of the tournament and not place either. 125 was the weight class with the greatest depth and Justin is right in the mix with all the medallists in not just my opinion but of my colleagues in the coaching ranks. As a junior he will get another chance next year."

Lee Culbertson wrestled at 152 pounds. As a senior, these were his last matches of his career. But Brown said that he has made great strides since the beginning of his wrestling career.

"Lee will be one of the legendary stories that are conjured up from the mystic book in print in Coach Brown's computer. The story is rags to riches... from worst to not so worst (and) now in this final year, as a senior, he has proven himself worthy to be with the best at his weight class.

"Lee knew going in the tournament he has a mountain to climb and he didn't reach as high as he would have liked. I hope great lessons come from this tournament experience that will make one better for years to come."

Friday's results for each wrestler can be found in Saturday's edition of the Weekend Herald-Tribune.