Eldredge knocks off defending state champ

HAYS — Austin Eldredge is hoping to close out his illustrious McPherson High wrestling career in a blaze of glory.

Eldredge, a senior, came up with his signature moment of the season to date on Saturday when he outlasted No. 1-ranked Zach Eck of Andale 5-4 in the 138-pound title match of the Bob Kuhn Prairie Classic.

Eck had entered the tourney 24-2 and Eldredge, ranked No. 3 in the state, was 26-2. Eck was the 4A state champion at 132 last year.

“It was an exciting match with Austin and Eck,” MHS coach Doug Kretzer said. “I thought that Austin had a good chance against him because they wrestled last year and Austin lost 5-4. So these two boys have been nip and tuck. Nice match by Austin to wrestle all 6 minutes.”

Eldredge was one of four Bullpups to place. Rhett Edmonson and Scott Radke, at 106 and 145, respectively, took fourth. Bailey Yarborough started out 2-0 at 182, but suffered an ankle injury and had to default out, but still took sixth.

“Radke really had a good tournament beating some very tough kids,” Kretzer said. “Rhett again wrestled well, too. Yarborough had a good tournament going until he tweaked an ankle.  He is coming on at the right time.”

Campus won the team title with 143, with Hoisington second with 134 1/2. MHS was 11th with 73 1/2 and there were 25 teams in all.

MHS goes to Augusta on Thursday for a key AVCTL Division III dual. MHS is 3-0 in league duals so far with wins over Buhler, El Dorado and Circle.

Results:

106 — Rhett Edmonson, 2-2, 4th

113 — Landon Crews, 0-2

120 — EJ Kretzer, 0-2

126 — Seth Morgan, 2-2

132 — Open

138 — Austin Eldredge, 4-0, 1st

145 — Scott Radke, 4-2, 4th

152 — Jonah Clarke, 1-2

160 — Mason Thrash, 0-2

170 — Michael Mendez, 0-1

182 — Bailey Yarborough, 2-0, 6th (injury default)

195 — Alex Perkins, 1-2

220 — Alex Grennan, 2-2

285 — Open