Tiger wrestling team captures its first-ever District title

Cowley head coach Justice Circle was named the South Central District Coach of the Year for leading the Tigers to the district title and finishing ahead of No. 8-ranked NEO and No. 9-ranked Pratt, which were both ranked ahead of Cowley entering the weekend.

"This is a huge accomplishment for our program," Circle said. "Everybody had a hand in this. The guys wrestled with a chip on their shoulder and were extremely selfless. Being named Coach of the Year is a testament to our guys. The award is as much theirs as it is mine. It will be a cool award to look back on, but right now our focus is on nationals."

Cowley had 15 falls at the district tournament, which allowed them to come back from an early 40-point deficit in the team standings. The Tigers had seven wrestlers advance to the semifinals and five make the finals. Cowley had district champions at 125 pounds (Colt Collett), 141 pounds (Evan Rodriguez), 174 pounds (Scout Trotter), and 184 pounds (David Sample).

"Colt bonus pointed every match, and Evan scored a lot of points, while Scout bonus pointed everybody in the bracket," Circle said. "Those guys were not just wrestling for themselves, they were wrestling for everybody that helps them train and did not get an opportunity to put a singlet on at districts."

The Tigers sealed the District title when Sample defeated Barton's S-Ron Hill 1-0 in the 184-pound title match.

"We had to win that match to win the tournament, so for David being able to gut that match out for the team and win 1-0 was outstanding," Circle said.

Cowley qualified all 10 wrestlers for the national tournament, which will be held March 6-7 in Council Bluffs, IA.

"These guys believe in our training and are sacrificing a lot," Circle said. "We have got things we need to clean up and do better, but our goal is to win a national title, and I believe we have the dudes to do it."

Team scores: (1) Cowley, 171; (2) NEO, 166; (3) Carl Albert, 150.5; (4) Pratt, 140.5; (5) Labette, 90.5; (6) Cloud, 86.5; (7) NOC, 73.5; (8) Fort Hays Tech NW, 66.5; (9) Barton, 61.5; (10) Colby, 54; (11) Neosho, 35; (12) Murray State, 34.5.

Cowley Results:

*125 pounds – Colt Collett (CC) went 3-0 and placed first with a tech fall win over Zane Donley (Pratt) in the title match.

*133 pounds – Louden Wolfe (CC) went 4-2 and defeated Jordan Cullors (Labette) in the fifth-place match.

*141 pounds – Evan Rodriguez (CC) went 3-0 and placed first with a 7-2 win over Tyler Misenheimer (NEO) in the title match.

*149 pounds – Ryker Agee (CC) went 4-1 and defeated Kaiden Cue (Carl Albert) 18-11 in the third-place match.

*157 pounds – Greyson Zellers (CC) went 2-1 and placed second after a tech fall loss to Jacob Goodwin (Pratt) in the title match.

*165 pounds – Toby West (CC) went 0-2.

*174 pounds – Scout Trotter (CC) went 3-0 and placed first with a tech fall win over Tony Stewart (NEO) in the title match.

*184 pounds – David Sample (CC) went 4-0 and placed first with a 1-0 victory over S-Ron Hill (Barton) in the title match.

*197 pounds – Jason Osgood (CC) went 3-1 and won by fall over Tyzel Zachry (NOC-Tonkawa) in the third-place match.

*285 pounds – Keenan Smith (CC) went 2-2 and won a 17-10 decision over Jayden Shannon (FHTNW) in the seventh-place match.