BonnerSprings.com

Two young returning lettermen will be competing in Saturday's Dick Burns Classic for the Bonner Springs High School wrestling team.

Coach Dan Burns has said this year's squad is inexperienced for the most part

Sophomore Brooks Ballou and junior Tanner McCleary have been two of the top returning wrestlers this season.

Ballou, a 119-pounder, had his best performance when he went 5-0 in the Kaw Valley League Dual Tournament in December for the Braves.

Ballou is 7-4 overall entering the Dick Burns Classic and McCleary is 4-4 overall.

"They could have a good shot to do well," Burns said.

Last season, Ballou placed second in the Dick Burns Classic as just a freshman at 112 pounds.

"We never know what to expect this year in the 119 weight class," Burns said. "But we are hoping he can get seeded in the top four on Saturday morning."

McCleary, who won only one match all of last year as the varsity heavyweight, has won four matches entering this week's tournament.

"Tanner has been a little of a surprise and he has improved," Burns said.

The Braves' best newcomer this season has been freshman Caleb Seaton. Seaton is 12-1 at 103 and 112 pounds for the Braves.

In addition, junior Adam Shirley (3-3) and freshman Byran Callahan (5-6) will wrestle in the Classic for the Braves at 145 and 152 weight classes.

In addition to this nucleus of wrestlers, other varsity wrestlers in the Classic for Bonner should be sophomore Ryan Bartels (160) and junior Anthony Ellinsworth (171).

After the Christmas-break hiatus ended, the Braves have been practicing wrestling from 8 to 10 a.m.

Wrestlers have worked hard on techniques and mastering takedowns.

"We have been back at it," Burns said. "We are practicing hard and trying to improve."

Saturday's tournament will also feature the following schools: Basehor-Linwood, Bellville East (of Nebraska), Blue Valley, Eudora, Fort Scott, Highland Park, Olathe South, Paola, Spring Hill, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Sumner Academy.

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