SALINA — Though Iola High’s Andrew Garber’s wrestling season ended without a medal at the Class 4A State Tournament on Saturday, he came away with some much needed experience heading into next season.
Garber, a junior, gave himself a good chance at state after finishing second at his regional in Louisburg last week. His second match on Friday had him pitted against Lindsborg’s Smoky Valley High’s Austin Cook, who went 43-0 on the year and won the 182-pound weight class for the second year in a row.
“State placing isn’t about records or seeding. Anything can happen at state due to all the emotions and anxiety,” said coach Jason Bates. “For example, Derek Weaver from Paola took fourth at our regionals and came ready to wrestle. Weaver ended up taking fourth at state, while Ethan VanAnne, who took first at our regionals, finished sixth at state.”
Garber went 2-2 overall at the state tournament. After losing in his second match on Friday, he was moved over to the consolation bracket on Saturday with a chance to finish as high as third place.
In his first match in the consolation bracket, Garber beat Basehor Linwood’s Alex Bejarano in an 11-4 decision. That set up a match with El Dorado’s Austin Powell, who finished the season 30-15. If Garber were to win, he’d be able to guarantee a top-six finish. However, Powell was able to overtake Garber in a 10-3 decision.
“Garber did a great job at state,” Bates said. “Although he did not place, he finished top-eight in his bracket.”
Garber finished the year 31-10, an improvement over his 28-11 record last season.
“I know this year alone he has improved so much since the beginning of the year,” Bates said. “Hopefully he uses this experience as motivation. Andrew, along with the rest of the athletes, needs to get in the weight room this summer. They also need to find some mat time so they don’t walk into the room next year behind where they left this year.”
All five — Garber, Tavon Blazek, Seth Sanford, Colton Toney and Chandler House — of Iola’s wrestlers will be back next season.
“They are excited and ready to continue building this program,” Bates said. “I’m excited to see where we go from here.”
State meet experience leaves Garber primed for more
