Manhattan High’s boys Varsity team swept the floor at the 2023 Centennial League meet on Feb. 4. Against four other teams–Topeka High, Washburn Rural, Junction City and Emporia–Manhattan placed seven individual champions: freshman Caeleb Hutchinson; sophomore Logan Lagerman; juniors Jameal Agnew, Clayton Frehn and Isaac Sinks; and senior Jaxon Vikander. Lagerman filled me in on what the meet was. 

“League was really just another tournament,” Lagerman said, “but it is important for regional seeding which is how you qualify for state.”

To qualify for state however, each individual must place top 8 (boys) or top four (girls) at regionals. 

“League helps the individual get a better placement at the regional bracket.” Lagerman said. 

Senior Jaxon Vikander was able to get his 100 high school career wins that Saturday. Using this league meet as more mat time, he hopes to put his name on the bracket for State, which will be on Feb. 25 at the Hartman Arena in Wichita, KS. Regionals for the MHS boys happened on Feb. 17 and 18 with a strong ending of 3rd place and qualifying 11 for state. These athletes include freshman Cameron Coonrod (4th), Caeleb Hutchinson (1st) and Taii Walsh (4th); sophomore’s Landon Dobson (3rd), Logan Lagerman (1st) and Ben Uher (7th); junior’s Jameal Agnew (1st), Clayton Frehn (3rd), Raymond Gary-Hernandez (5th) and Isaac Sinks (2nd); and senior Jaxon Vikander (4th).

The girls were also successful at their Centennial League meet, placing third overall, and at Regionals, qualifying two girls for state. Sophomore Sage Rosario placed first at the girls Centennial league and Regional meet. 

“We’ve been training so hard, especially my training partner Alayna Slifer,” Rosario said “She’s super good, she’s a freshman still finding her way. So, with me and her pushing each other throughout training I can already see where everyone is going to go.”

Both Rosario and Slifer qualified for state.