Devin Culler has worked four years — five if you count his eighth-grade season — for this weekend. The Iola High senior was one match away a year ago.
Today Culler and Iola High freshman Trey Colborn left for the 2012 Kansas Class 4A State Wrestling Tournament. The tournament is at the Bicentennial Center in Salina.
The first round of matches begins at 10 a.m. Friday. It is a double-elimination event.
Colborn began his wrestling career as a member of the Allen County Mat Warriors Kids Wrestling Club in Iola. He took the sport back up when he reached Iola Middle School.
“This is what I’ve worked so hard for — to get to the state tournament,” Culler said. “Since last year, I fixed the problem with my stance and improved my shot defense.
“I’m more aggressive on my feet. Another reason this season has been different is I’ve never been turned (pinned).”
Culler goes into this weekend’s state tournament with a 30-9 record. He wrestles in the 160-pound weight class. Culler finished third at last weekend’s regional tournament in Fort Scott.
Culler drew Jason Von Bargen of Baldwin, a junior with a 30-12 mark, as his first-round opponent. All six ranked wrestlers in Class 4A at 160 pounds are in the state tournament.
Colborn is Iola High’s second-ever freshman to qualify for the state tournament. Colborn placed fourth at last week’s regional tournament in the 285-pound weight division.
“I’m just going out and wrestle the best I can. It’s exciting to be going to state,” Colborn said.
Colborn is 21-17 and will take on another freshman, Jacobb Burnett of El Dorado, 27-16, in the first round Friday. All six ranked wrestlers in Class 4A at 285 pounds are in the state tournament.
“I think Trey and Devin got very nice draws for the first round and I wouldn’t be surprised if either claim a victory at the tournament this year or even more,” said Aaron Sweazy, Iola High head wrestling coach.
Iola High has had wrestling for four years but only three have been varsity competition. This is the third straight year the Mustangs have sent two or more wrestlers to the 4A state tournament.
Culler was a member of the first Iola Middle School wrestling team as an eighth-grader. He had never wrestled before that year.
Colborn wrestled a few years with the local kids club then left the sport. He wrestled both as a seventh-grader and eighth-grader in middle school.
