MHS Boys Wrestling have shown no signs of stopping after their 58-18 victory over second place Washburn Rural at Centennial League last weekend. It was their second consecutive League win, previously defeating Washburn 42-26.
“We went 5-0 as a team,” said ranked #1 senior Calaeb Hutchinson (150). “We didn’t wrestle a full Washburn Rural team. They had a bunch of dudes out, but we won that duel pretty handily. We won it my freshman year, and then we lost the Washburn sophomore year and won junior and senior year.” Hutchinson was awarded Outstanding Wrestler of the Year, adding on to his titles of 2025 Flint Hills Male Athlete of the Year and three time State Champion.
Manhattan had #3 all-class ranked sophomore Jack Hutchinson (126) senior Joseph Panfil (132), sophomore Benjamin Busch (138), Calaeb Hutchinson, sophomore Bode Busch (157), #7 junior Kaiden Dibbini (215) and senior Garrison Vikander (285) breezing through their competition, going undefeated.
Some were just shy of a perfect record. Sophomore Franke Force (106), #6 senior Cameron Coonrod (144), senior Brecken Crist-Funk (165), #4 senior Max Evans-Pryor (175) and sophomore Liam Nider (190) came close with a score of 4-1. Sophomores Josiah Borge (113) and Tucker Werth (120) went 3-2.
Girl Wrestling matched that aggression on the mat, with the team beating Washburn 45-32 and receiving their second Centennial League title in program history. Their previous title win was last season, also against Washburn, with a score of 42-38.
Senior Eva Lucios (100), sophomore Kimberly Altamirano-Cruz (110), #2 senior Evelyn Thornburg (125), senior #2 Alayna Slifer (135) and #2 junior Sophia Hoeme (140) all went 4-0 in the tournament. Hoeme, in particular, hit a landmark record of over 100 wins and received the Outstanding Girls Wrestler of the Year award.
“What helped me reach 100+ wins and earn Girls Wrestler of the Year was having incredible practice partners and coaches,” Hoeme said. “They push me every single day to become the best version of myself, and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without their support and belief in me.”
Freshman Kalena Borge (105), freshman Alison Kaupp (115), junior Eleanor Radi (120), #9 Kayla Kramer (130), #7 junior Tierra Young (145) and sophomore Tasia Miller (155) went 3-1. Senior Erica Li (170), freshman Chloe Ramos (190) and junior Lizbeth Moreno (235) went 2-2.
Manhattan wrestlers will continue their warpath Feb. 20-21 in the Regional Tournament, where the Boys will compete at Wichita North and the girls in Wichita South.
“I’m extremely excited for regionals this weekend,” Hoeme said. “I get the opportunity to set myself up for success at the State tournament…I’m looking forward to wrestling against strong competition that will help me continue to grow as a wrestler.”
