St. James Academy’s Cokeley wins another Kansas 4A state wrestling title

SALINA, Kan. | Isn’t winning a state wrestling championship supposed to be tough? “It was last year,” St. James Academy sophomore Ryne Cokeley said. “It was just a little easier this time because the competition was there, it just wasn’t as tough as last year.”

Of course, Cokeley has put himself head and shoulders above his competition at 130 pounds and proved as much this weekend at the Kansas 4A state meet in Salina. Cokeley made the Bicentennial Center his home, pinning three of his four foes, including a second-period fall of Abilene’s Courtney Strauss in Saturday’s championship match. Cokeley finished with his second straight state title, winning at 119 pounds a year ago, and finished the season with a 42-3 record.

He lost only once to a Kansas kid, that coming at 135 pounds to three-time state champion C.J. Napier of Columbus. And he’s halfway to becoming a four-time state champion. “Only two more to go,” Cokeley said. “Who knows if it will be tougher the next two years.”

St. James crowned two champions Saturday as Taylor Moeder won the rubber match with rival Alan Callahan of Baldwin City in their 112-pound final. The two had split four matches this year, but Moeder dominated the fifth with a convincing 7-0 decision.

“I’m happy,” said Moeder, a transfer from Colby who placed third in 103 pounds last season. “I worked hard every single day, Sundays even. It paid off a lot.”

Callahan finished his career tied for No. 1 on Kansas’ all-time victory list with older brother Kevin Callahan at 171, some consolation for falling short in his quest to join Kevin as a state champion. “I just didn’t have it today,” Callahan said. “I didn’t hit my stuff like I did yesterday. (Moeder) just brought it more than I did.”

Louisburg’s Hood brothers both wound up with medals. Bryce Hood placed third at 135 and Austin was fourth at 103.

Osawatomie had three placers — Westin Shay, fourth at 125; Zack Grimes, fourth at 189; and Garry Wilson, fourth at heavyweight. Basehor-Linwood’s Symon Seaton was the only other area placer, taking sixth at 125.

submitted by BRENT MAYCOCK - 2009-02-28 22:26:01

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