The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper

This state-qualifying Silver Lake wrestler impresses the crowd with his agility. (Photo by Rachelle DeShazo)

Eagle wrestlers capture regional title, set school records

Travel to Hays this weekend

By Jill Lira

February 23, 2005

The Silver Lake wrestling squad is paving a golden road for those grapplers who will follow in their footsteps, attempting to reach new goals and setting new school records.

This year at regionals, SLHS clinched first place and set a new school record for most team points at one single tournament. Out of 20 schools, the Eagles dominated by defeating Effingham, the second place team, by 57.5 points. They also tied their school record for sending the most grapplers to state.

The 3-2-1A regional wrestling tournament kicked off Friday, Feb. 18 at Onaga. Silver Lake entered the tournament with 14 wrestlers and left with 11 state qualifiers.

This state-qualifying Eagle wrestler prepares to pin his opponent during a recent dual. (Photo by Rachelle DeShazo)

The 11 wrestlers who qualified for state were: Collin Hase, 103; Jacob Deiter,112; Keaton Taylor, 119; Cody Meier, 125; Spencer Hinson, 130; Jason Corwin, 135; Brady LaMar, 140; Jeremy Mellies, 152; Justin Wall, 160; Jason Mellies, 171; and Curtis Hamilton, 215.

SL boasted five champions in Hase, Deiter, Corwin, LaMar, and Jeremy Mellies; three second-place finishes from Taylor, Meier, and Hamilton; and three fourth-place finishes by Hinson, Wall, and Jason Mellies.

Unfortunately, Jared Wall (189), Dylan Bahm (275), and Colby Killinger (145), did not qualify for state; however, head wrestling coach Harry LaMar feels that their presence helped the team out considerably.

“This was a great team effort from top to bottom; every athlete gave everything they had in every match,” LaMar commented.