The last time the wrestling team won the Sunflower league title, sophomore Chandler Gordon wasn’t even born yet.

In the years that followed the 1991-92 championship, the team never placed better than fourth. Last year, they took seventh in the tournament and went on to place 21st at state. This year, they tied for the league championship with SM East.

“[Going into the season,] we had several goals.  The main ones were to place top 3 in the league tournament, in which we were first; win Regionals, in which we were second; and qualify 10 wrestlers for the state tournament,” Newcomb said.

Gordon won his second consecutive league title in the 103 lb. weight class, and junior Ross Whitmore won an individual title in the 125 lb. weight class. Senior Nick Caldwell reached the finals of the 160 lb. weight class but lost due to an injury default. Freshman Reed Bowker (112 lbs.) and junior Tyler Deal (130 lbs.) both finished third; sophomore Colby Everett (119 lbs.), senior Ed Spaunhorst (140 lbs.) and senior Will Greenhaw (145 lbs.) finished fourth; junior Blake Covington (189 lbs.) took fifth; and senior Dylan Swoyer (135 lbs.) and junior Bobby Urteaga (171 lbs.) finished sixth, in a total team effort.

Although the Cougars defeated Lawrence at the Sunflower League Tournament, the Lions clipped them by a few points at the Regional meet. Gordon (103 lbs.), Whitmore (125 lbs.), and Deal (130 lbs.) all won their weight classes at Regionals.

“This season, I kind of expected a lot of myself. I didn’t want to settle for anything less than a state championship,” Gordon said after he qualified for the state tournament.

Going into the state competition, the Cougars are not ranked in the top 10, but both Gordon and Whitmore are ranked in the top 3 in their respective weight classes. Whitmore has been a points leader for the Cougars all year, and he has the best record on the team.

Only two teams from either the Eastern Kansas League or Sunflower League are listed among the top 10 teams in the state because most of the ranked teams are from western Kansas. Derby is the current favorite to take the State title, followed by Garden City and Dodge City, according to Kansaswrestling.com rankings.

The Cougars met another one of their goals for this season: 10 wrestlers qualified for the state tournament, more than have qualified in the last 20 years.

The state tournament will be held today and tomorrow at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita.

Fri. Feb 26, at SMN 7 p.m.

Mon. March 1 – Fri. March 5, Sub-state Tournament at SMNW

Wed. March 10 – Sat. March 13, State Basketball Tournament in Emporia

Girls’ Basketball:

Mon. March 1 – Fri. March 5, Sub-state Week at SMNW

Wed. March 10 – Sat. March 13, State Basketball Tournament in Emporia

Wrestling:

Fri. Feb. 26, 6A State Championships, Kansas Colisseum-Wichita, 8 a.m.

Sat. Feb. 27, 6A State Tournament, Kansas Colisseum-Wichita, 9 a.m.

Bowling:

Sat. Feb. 27, Regional Tournament at Olathe Mission Bowl, 9 a.m.

The NW winter sports season began tonight with the Lady Cougars basketball team falling to Shawnee Mission West 48-23. Although the game didn’t appear very pretty, there were definite signs of maturity among this young squad. Watch for these girls to sneak up on some teams this year.

It’s time to get ready for another ride on the Cougar Coaster. The boys’ basketball team will begin their 09-10 campaign tomorrow night in the NW gym at 7 p.m. against the arch rival Indians from Shawnee Mission North. Be sure to wear black to support the blackout theme!

“Man, I can’t wait,” A.J. Spencer said. “I probably won’t even be able to sleep tonight. Just thinking about tomorrow gives me the chills.”

Pre-ranked third in the state, the Cougars look promising coming in to the season.

The wrestling team kicks off their season tomorrow night in Pleasant Hill, Missouri at the Steve Leslie Invitational. The team looks very solid this year, returning almost all of their roster from last winter. Be ready for the Cougars to finish strong in their first tournament of the season.

The boys swim and dive team will also begin their season tomorrow in the new and improved NW Aquatic Center. The tri-meet consists of the Cougars, Washburn Rural, and Maize. The first event will take place at 4 p.m.

Buckle your seatbelts and enjoy the ride NW. It looks to be a very exciting winter.