Indians Wrestle in Bill Voss Novice Tournament
Three Indians Win Championships
The high school wrestling team wrestled well at the Bill Voss Novice Tournament in Colby on Saturday, February 11. All of the Indian wrestlers won at least one match during the competition and four individuals placed in the top two positions. Those placing in the top positions were: at 106 pounds, Aaron White placed 2nd; at 126, Tiernan Poling won the championship; at 160, Cody Baxter won the championship; and at 195, Luin Norris won the championship.
The results for the St. Francis wrestlers are listed below.
106 - Aaron White's place is 2nd and has scored 15.00 team points.
Click here to view Aaron's bracket.
Quarterfinal - Aaron White (St. Francis) won by major decision over Taye Payne (Goodland) (Maj 15-1)
Semifinal - Aaron White (St. Francis) won by decision over Lucas Hecker (Hays) (Dec 6-4)
1st Place Match - Brandon Roberts (Scott City) won by fall over Aaron White (St. Francis) (Fall 1:45)
126 - Tiernan Poling's place is 1st and has scored 22.00 team points.
Click here to view Tiernan's bracket.
Round 1 - Tiernan Poling (St. Francis) won by decision over Aidan Stephenson (Oakley) (Dec 2-0)
Round 2 - Tiernan Poling (St. Francis) won by fall over Elias Mejia (Garden City) (Fall 3:46)
Round 3 - Tiernan Poling (St. Francis) won by decision over Tadin Flinn (Hays) (Dec 7-1)
Round 4 - Tiernan Poling (St. Francis) won by fall over Jake Reed (Colby High School) (Fall 3:21)
Round 5 - Tiernan Poling (St. Francis) won by fall over Konnor Griffin (Colby High School) (Fall 1:23)
160 - Cody Baxter's place is 1st and has scored 15.00 team points.
Click here to view Cody's bracket.
Round 2 - Cody Baxter (St. Francis) won by major decision over Jonathan Fernandez (Garden City) (Maj 11-1)
Round 3 - Cody Baxter (St. Francis) won by fall over Derek Avilla (Liberal) (Fall 0:35)
Round 4 - Cody Baxter (St. Francis) won by decision over Matt Kirkendall (Phillipsburg) (Dec 10-7)
Round 5 - Cody Baxter (St. Francis) won by fall over Weston Pfeifer (Hays TMP) (Fall 1:00)
182 - Seth Hilt's place is unknown and has scored 1.00 team points.
Click here to view Seth's bracket.
Quarterfinal - Diego Mediavilla (Colby High School) won by fall over Seth Hilt (St. Francis) (Fall 0:17)
Cons. Round 1 - Seth Hilt (St. Francis) won by decision over David SanJuan (Garden City) (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Semi - Rowdy Farr (Oberlin) won by fall over Seth Hilt (St. Francis) (Fall 1:48)
195 - Luin Norris's place is 1st and has scored 24.00 team points.
Click here to view Luin;s bracket.
Quarterfinal - Luin Norris (St. Francis) won by fall over Alex Auker (Norton) (Fall 1:09)
Semifinal - Luin Norris (St. Francis) won by fall over Kyler Britt (Colby High School) (Fall 3:14)
1st Place Match - Luin Norris (St. Francis) won by fall over Dillon Dunn (Trego County) (Fall 2:19)
Coach Dylan Loyd shared the following information.
Coach’s Awards
Key Match Award: Norris defeating Dunn of Trego by fall.
Coach’s Award: Seth Hilt
Most Outstanding Wrestlers: Tiernan Poling, Cody Baxter, and Luin Norris all Champions at the Bill Voss Invitational.
Coach’s Comments:
"The season is really starting to wind down in a hurry and regionals is now here. This past week we traveled to Colby to take part in the Bill Voss Invitational. Typically, in years past we don’t send as many to this tournament due to point restrictions. However, this season we missed a tournament in Scott City due to weather and we thought we needed to get these young men extra matches before the regional tournament. This tournament is pretty tough with a lot of teams represented and a lot of varsity wrestlers looking for that extra mat time. As a team this group of young men went a combined 15-3 on the day and really gained a lot of momentum heading into this final push. I feel like this group is ascending and they are starting to peak at the right time. This group really has grown and really has improved and as coaches we are very proud of them because this season hasn’t been easy. They wrestle tough competition every week, our practices have been tough, but mentally this group has stayed focused and I’m excited for them heading into this week.
Individually, Aaron White has really turned a corner here these last 3 weeks of the season. He is starting to really open up in matches and is starting to believe. The past two tournaments he has come away with a medal and his confidence is as high right now as it has been all season and that’s what he needs right now. His hard work has been paying off for him and I’m excited for him. Tiernan Poling had another great weekend! This kid in the past year has grown and improved so much and its obvious every time you see him wrestle you see him get a little better. He is right there in the mix with the top guys and if he gets it in his head that he can do it, I believe he can open up some eyes this weekend. He works hard in the practice room and right now his focus is where it needs to be. Cody Baxter these last 3-4 weeks has been lighting it up on the scoreboard. I say it all the time but, this kid has a tremendous amount of ability and again he is starting to believe in himself. With his skillset if he gets it in his head that no one can beat him that is a very scary combination, because kid can do things that not many others can do. I’ve been very pleased with his development so far, this season. Seth Hilt is an amazing young man. He has had a tough season but, I tell you what you don’t find kids like him very often. Not once has he complained, and every time a challenge has faced him he takes it on and it shows. He was voted, by all coach’s might I add, as this tournament’s Most Inspirational Wrestler. What that shows is that other coach’s, many who have seen Seth wrestle this season, have taken notice of him and have seen the work he has put in and the improvements that he has made. That’s a testament to Seth, and the type of young man that he is. This sport isn’t about the win’s and the loss’s, sadly we live in a society that wants to base success off of that, and that’s not the case. Seth has had a successful season because he has never wavered, he has never quit, and he has never taken his eyes off the prize. Seth has shown us all what hard work is by what he does every single day and we all should take a lesson from that. We are very proud of him and are grateful he chose to be a part of this program! Luin Norris is really starting to come along. He has been in this program for three years now and many who have paid attention have seen his growth. His biggest issue has always been his confidence and that often times is the case in this sport. My hope is that he truly knows and believes in what he can do. I know what he is capable of doing and believe in him 100%. He can do some big things this weekend. He’s just got to believe in himself. He does the right way and I believe when you do things right the results will come. He very easily could have quit after his freshman year, but he chose to stick it out and to continue to work hard, and I’m thankful he did because he has developed into a tough wrestler!"
The Indians will compete in the Regional Wrestling Tournament in WaKeeney February 17 and 18.