Buffaloes finished 3rd at state; Dodge City 6th (Audio)

Wichita, KS-Garden City wrestling Coach Carlos Prieto didn’t know what hit him.

Refugio Chairez made one mighty leap into his coach’s arms, knocking him over in the process. It was a moment of pure jubilation, one that neither man will ever forget.

The 285-pound heavyweight had just completed an incredible journey, one that started with him nearly 30 pounds over his projected weight before the season started.

“We knew he would get there eventually,” Prieto said. “But I didn’t think we’d have him until maybe the end of December or January. He worked his tail off.”

Interviews

Refugio Chairez

Silas Pineda

Jacob Holt

Chairez avenged his loss to Evan Darville in the Regional finals by going a perfect 4-0, capping off his state-title run with an unbelieve pin of Lawrence’s Ejae Jewsome in the 285-pound finals.

“I can’t put it into words,” Chairez said. “It’s something that 30 years from now, people will look at the wall and say you won a state championship.”

Chairez’s victory was punctuated with an improbable move, one that had Hartman Arena buzzing. After Jewsome had the junior in a headlock, Chairez immediately went on the attack. In one motion, he completely flipped his opponent before pinning him on the mat. It was a move that defined a generation of great wrestling in Garden City, a program that has won four state titles in the last seven years.

“That was incredible,” Prieto said. “I don’t care if we lost a team point for what happened afterwards, I’m so happy for that kid.”

Chairez was one of three individual state champions for the Buffaloes, joining Jacob Holt at 132 lbs. and Silas Pineda at 113. Pineda knocked off Kale McCracken from Haysville Campus, who was 46-0 heading into the match.

“I was disappointed last year how I finished,” Pineda said. “Nothing was going to stop me this year.”

Meantime for Holt, he capped off a season that saw him lose only three matches all year with a decisive victory over Derby’s Cason Lindsey in the 132-lb finals.

“It’s a great feeling,” Holt said. “I wanted to let everyone know that I wasn’t just a one-time state champion. I wanted to do it again.”

As a team, Garden City placed third with 149.5 points. Derby won their first state title in 33 years, and Manhattan was the runner-up, losing out by three points. Dodge City finished sixth.

For the Red Demons, they went three-for-three in the finals as well. Damian Mendez beat Dylah Sheler from Haysville Campus in the 106-lb finals, Couy Weil defeated Caden Howard from Olathe Northwest at 120, and Garrett Edwards overcame some adversity and a missed two-point takedown in overtime to beat Haysville Campus’s Nathan Bowen in a tie breaker.

Interviews

Couy Weil

Damian Mendez

Garrett Edwards

“There wasn’t anything that was going to stop me from winning it all,” Edwards said. “This means so much for me and my family.”

Team Results-Garden City

6A – 113

Silas Pineda (41-11) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Silas Pineda (Garden City) 41-11 won by fall over Kevin Rosales (J.C. Harmon) 29-12 (Fall 3:37)
• Quarterfinal – Silas Pineda (Garden City) 41-11 won by fall over Zachary Trenkamp (Wichita-South) 21-14 (Fall 4:00)
• Semifinal – Silas Pineda (Garden City) 41-11 won in sudden victory – 1 over Easton Taylor (Manhattan) 36-7 (SV-1 4-2)
• 1st Place Match – Silas Pineda (Garden City) 41-11 won by decision over Kale McCracken (Haysville-Campus) 43-1 (Dec 3-1)

6A – 120

Diago Hernandez (40-10) placed 5th and scored 14.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Diago Hernandez (Garden City) 40-10 won by fall over Jacob Bradley (Olathe East) 22-27 (Fall 3:04)
• Quarterfinal – Charles Brockmann (SM Northwest) 31-7 won by decision over Diago Hernandez (Garden City) 40-10 (Dec 3-1)
• Cons. Round 2 – Diago Hernandez (Garden City) 40-10 won by fall over Gabriel Arreguin (SM North) 23-23 (Fall 3:43)
• Cons. Round 3 – Diago Hernandez (Garden City) 40-10 won by decision over Bowan Murray (Topeka-Washburn Rural) 26-15 (Dec 13-6)
• Cons. Semi – Zach Keal (Mill Valley) 45-6 won by decision over Diago Hernandez (Garden City) 40-10 (Dec 2-1)
• 5th Place Match – Diago Hernandez (Garden City) 40-10 won by major decision over Tate Sauder (Manhattan) 34-17 (MD 10-1)

6A – 126

Erik Dominguez (28-18) placed 4th and scored 13.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Erik Dominguez (Garden City) 28-18 won by major decision over Jacob Bartlett (BV Northwest) 23-23 (MD 12-1)
• Quarterfinal – Erik Dominguez (Garden City) 28-18 won by decision over Ben Bluel (Olathe South) 30-19 (Dec 7-1)
• Semifinal – Keegan Slyter (Olathe North) 46-4 won by fall over Erik Dominguez (Garden City) 28-18 (Fall 4:25)
• Cons. Semi – Erik Dominguez (Garden City) 28-18 won by decision over Carson Dulitz (Mill Valley) 32-20 (Dec 1-0)
• 3rd Place Match – Lou Fincher (Lawrence-Free State) 35-6 won by decision over Erik Dominguez (Garden City) 28-18 (Dec 5-4)

6A – 132

Jacob Holt (37-3) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Holt (Garden City) 37-3 won by fall over Tate Marcum (Blue Valley West) 14-15 (Fall 0:44)
• Quarterfinal – Jacob Holt (Garden City) 37-3 won by major decision over Ethan Meuret (Blue Valley) 27-16 (MD 13-2)
• Semifinal – Jacob Holt (Garden City) 37-3 won by major decision over Austin Keal (Mill Valley) 34-17 (MD 9-1)
• 1st Place Match – Jacob Holt (Garden City) 37-3 won by decision over Cason Lindsey (Derby) 28-9 (Dec 8-3)

6A – 138

Josh Janas (37-18) placed 5th and scored 14.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Josh Janas (Garden City) 37-18 won by fall over Antonio Chavez (BV Northwest) 7-18 (Fall 1:09)
• Quarterfinal – Jacob Mitchell (Manhattan) 29-19 won by fall over Josh Janas (Garden City) 37-18 (Fall 3:36)
• Cons. Round 2 – Josh Janas (Garden City) 37-18 won by fall over Matthew Whitton (Junction City) 15-10 (Fall 2:08)
• Cons. Round 3 – Josh Janas (Garden City) 37-18 won by decision over Izaiah Delvalle (Hutchinson) 30-8 (Dec 3-1)
• Cons. Semi – Curte`z Riley (SM Northwest) 28-3 won by decision over Josh Janas (Garden City) 37-18 (Dec 10-7)
• 5th Place Match – Josh Janas (Garden City) 37-18 won by tech fall over Bobby Thomas (Olathe South) 29-21 (TF-1.5 3:53 (17-2))

6A – 145

Elijahblu Ruiz-Hernandez (10-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Zach Schram (Blue Valley West) 45-4 won by fall over Elijahblu Ruiz-Hernandez (Garden City) 10-19 (Fall 3:24)
• Cons. Round 1 – Marcelino Otero (Dodge City) 23-15 won by decision over Elijahblu Ruiz-Hernandez (Garden City) 10-19 (Dec 5-2)

6A – 152

Jared Arellano (25-20) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Brodie Scott (Mill Valley) 38-14 won by major decision over Jared Arellano (Garden City) 25-20 (MD 18-9)
• Cons. Round 1 – Jared Arellano (Garden City) 25-20 won by major decision over Brendan Bartholome (BV Northwest) 29-18 (MD 10-2)
• Cons. Round 2 – Patrick Graebner (Hutchinson) 22-10 won by decision over Jared Arellano (Garden City) 25-20 (Dec 11-5)

6A – 160

Andrew Garcia (24-13) placed 3rd and scored 15.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Andrew Garcia (Garden City) 24-13 won by major decision over William Calixto (Olathe North) 28-31 (MD 14-6)
• Quarterfinal – Andrew Garcia (Garden City) 24-13 won by decision over Gavin Brown (Olathe South) 38-7 (Dec 7-4)
• Semifinal – Malachi Karibo (Wichita-South) 42-5 won by major decision over Andrew Garcia (Garden City) 24-13 (MD 11-2)
• Cons. Semi – Andrew Garcia (Garden City) 24-13 won by decision over Richard Waeltermann (SM West) 32-9 (Dec 6-0)
• 3rd Place Match – Andrew Garcia (Garden City) 24-13 won by decision over Taidon Wills (Derby) 27-12 (Dec 3-2)

6A – 170

Jacob Sims (20-19) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Wes Damron (Blue Valley) 38-9 won by fall over Jacob Sims (Garden City) 20-19 (Fall 0:25)
• Cons. Round 1 – Zack Leskovac (Olathe South) 8-5 won by fall over Jacob Sims (Garden City) 20-19 (Fall 2:43)

6A – 195

Alexavier Rodriguez (42-11) placed 5th and scored 11.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Alexavier Rodriguez (Garden City) 42-11 won by fall over Kolten Jegen (Mill Valley) 5-12 (Fall 1:03)
• Quarterfinal – Alexavier Rodriguez (Garden City) 42-11 won by decision over Robert Houston (Manhattan) 30-14 (Dec 5-3)
• Semifinal – Brycen Schroeder (Haysville-Campus) 35-9 won by decision over Alexavier Rodriguez (Garden City) 42-11 (Dec 9-7)
• Cons. Semi – Terrance Adeleye (Junction City) 29-7 won by decision over Alexavier Rodriguez (Garden City) 42-11 (Dec 14-10)
• 5th Place Match – Alexavier Rodriguez (Garden City) 42-11 won by decision over Tyler Robinson (Leavenworth) 35-18 (Dec 6-4)

6A – 220

Tyler May (22-16) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Ethan Kremer (Mill Valley) 43-7 won by fall over Tyler May (Garden City) 22-16 (Fall 4:33)
• Cons. Round 1 – Jordan Baker (Olathe North) 36-21 won by decision over Tyler May (Garden City) 22-16 (Dec 6-2)

6A – 285

Refugio Chairez (28-9) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Refugio Chairez (Garden City) 28-9 won by fall over Laronte Lewis (Olathe East) 12-21 (Fall 0:47)
• Quarterfinal – Refugio Chairez (Garden City) 28-9 won by decision over Payton Collins (Wichita-South) 8-6 (Dec 5-2)
• Semifinal – Refugio Chairez (Garden City) 28-9 won by fall over Ronnie Washington (Derby) 34-13 (Fall 0:58)
• 1st Place Match – Refugio Chairez (Garden City) 28-9 won by fall over Ejae Jewsome (Lawrence) 29-10 (Fall 3:31)

Team Results-Dodge City

6A – 106

Damian Mendez (41-7) placed 1st and scored 27.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Damian Mendez (Dodge City) 41-7 won by fall over Julian Long (Leavenworth) 6-22 (Fall 1:13)
• Quarterfinal – Damian Mendez (Dodge City) 41-7 won by major decision over Germany Washington (Wichita-West) 24-18 (MD 11-3)
• Semifinal – Damian Mendez (Dodge City) 41-7 won by fall over Kevin Honas (Lawrence) 34-12 (Fall 5:32)
• 1st Place Match – Damian Mendez (Dodge City) 41-7 won by decision over Dylan Sheler (Haysville-Campus) 37-13 (Dec 5-3)

6A – 120

Couy Weil (37-11) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Couy Weil (Dodge City) 37-11 won by fall over Gabriel Arreguin (SM North) 23-23 (Fall 0:40)
• Quarterfinal – Couy Weil (Dodge City) 37-11 won by fall over Caleb Burleigh (Blue Valley) 13-7 (Fall 3:08)
• Semifinal – Couy Weil (Dodge City) 37-11 won by fall over Zach Keal (Mill Valley) 45-6 (Fall 3:16)
• 1st Place Match – Couy Weil (Dodge City) 37-11 won by decision over Caden Howard (OL Northwest) 46-2 (Dec 6-2)

6A – 126

Danny Rojas (24-17) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Danny Rojas (Dodge City) 24-17 won by major decision over Quintin Talbert (OL Northwest) 33-17 (MD 18-7)
• Quarterfinal – Keegan Slyter (Olathe North) 46-4 won by fall over Danny Rojas (Dodge City) 24-17 (Fall 1:35)
• Cons. Round 2 – Danny Rojas (Dodge City) 24-17 won by decision over Luke Hyland (Blue Valley) 27-18 (Dec 10-3)
• Cons. Round 3 – Ben Bluel (Olathe South) 30-19 won by fall over Danny Rojas (Dodge City) 24-17 (Fall 3:23)

6A – 138

Garrett Edwards (39-10) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Garrett Edwards (Dodge City) 39-10 won by major decision over Justus Hulse (SM North) 25-23 (MD 14-5)
• Quarterfinal – Garrett Edwards (Dodge City) 39-10 won by major decision over Bobby Thomas (Olathe South) 29-21 (MD 14-2)
• Semifinal – Garrett Edwards (Dodge City) 39-10 won by decision over Curte`z Riley (SM Northwest) 28-3 (Dec 11-7)
• 1st Place Match – Garrett Edwards (Dodge City) 39-10 won in tie breaker – 1 over Nathan Bowen (Haysville-Campus) 38-6 (TB-1 5-3)

6A – 145

Marcelino Otero (23-15) place is unknown and scored 1.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Brock Weinstein (BV Northwest) 30-19 won by decision over Marcelino Otero (Dodge City) 23-15 (Dec 6-4)
• Cons. Round 1 – Marcelino Otero (Dodge City) 23-15 won by decision over Elijahblu Ruiz-Hernandez (Garden City) 10-19 (Dec 5-2)
• Cons. Round 2 – Cooper Ross (Derby) 25-4 won by decision over Marcelino Otero (Dodge City) 23-15 (Dec 3-2)

6A – 160

Jashon Taylor (37-15) placed 5th and scored 14.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Jashon Taylor (Dodge City) 37-15 won by tech fall over Julien Bell (Leavenworth) 23-26 (TF-1.5 2:52 (16-1))
• Quarterfinal – Jashon Taylor (Dodge City) 37-15 won by fall over Richard Waeltermann (SM West) 32-9 (Fall 3:05)
• Semifinal – Bubba Wilson (Manhattan) 41-2 won by major decision over Jashon Taylor (Dodge City) 37-15 (MD 9-1)
• Cons. Semi – Taidon Wills (Derby) 27-12 won by decision over Jashon Taylor (Dodge City) 37-15 (Dec 3-1)
• 5th Place Match – Jashon Taylor (Dodge City) 37-15 won by fall over Richard Waeltermann (SM West) 32-9 (Fall 1:15)

6A – 182

Jullian Galindo (22-21) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Mitchell Bartsch (Blue Valley) 36-7 won by fall over Jullian Galindo (Dodge City) 22-21 (Fall 3:27)
• Cons. Round 1 – Nate Kenney (BV Northwest) 38-17 won by fall over Jullian Galindo (Dodge City) 22-21 (Fall 2:48)

6A – 195

Armando Monreal (11-9) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Tyler Robinson (Leavenworth) 35-18 won by major decision over Armando Monreal (Dodge City) 11-9 (MD 12-0)
• Cons. Round 1 – Math Martin (Olathe North) 37-17 won by major decision over Armando Monreal (Dodge City) 11-9 (MD 9-1)

6A – 285

Evan Darville (36-3) placed 3rd and scored 20.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 – Evan Darville (Dodge City) 36-3 won by fall over Julian Pacheco (J.C. Harmon) 8-12 (Fall 0:34)
• Quarterfinal – Evan Darville (Dodge City) 36-3 won by fall over Jacob Beehler (Haysville-Campus) 30-15 (Fall 1:47)
• Semifinal – Ejae Jewsome (Lawrence) 29-10 won by decision over Evan Darville (Dodge City) 36-3 (Dec 13-12)
• Cons. Semi – Evan Darville (Dodge City) 36-3 won by fall over Damion Ilalio (Manhattan) 26-16 (Fall 1:48)
• 3rd Place Match – Evan Darville (Dodge City) 36-3 won by decision over Ronnie Washington (Derby) 34-13 (Dec 2-1)