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On a day when fellow Kaw Valley League wrestling juggernaut Lansing qualified an astonishing 14 wrestlers — one from every weight class — for state, Bonner Springs had a banner day, as well.

Seven Braves landed top-four finishes on Saturday at the Class 5A regional tournament at Bishop Miege and qualified for state.

State qualifiers were seniors Tanner McCleary, Anthony Ellingsworth and Adam Shirley, juniors Ryan Demato and Brooks Ballou, and sophomores Brian Callahan and Caleb Seaton.

McCleary and Seaton both won regional championships, McCleary at 285 pounds and Seaton at 112 pounds.

“The guys are getting what they deserve,” BSHS coach Dan Burns said. “The whole team has worked really hard all season. Their work ethic and their practices have really impressed me. There is not a team out there that is in better condition than us.”

Lansing won the team title. BSHS finished fourth.

Seaton faced off against Turner’s Robert Arzola in the 112-pound finals. Seaton waited for an opening for the first 20 seconds when he pounced for a takedown. He used his quickness and strength to take control of the match, building an 8-0 lead by the end of the first period. Shortly thereafter he finished off the match with a pin.

Callahan was not as lucky in his match against Lansing’s Cullen Demarest as he was pinned in the first period. With the loss, Callahan placed second overall at 152 pounds.

“I am pretty upset about the match, but (Demarest) is a tough kid,” Callahan said. “I made a mistake, and he overpowered me, I just messed up. I have to be more explosive and come out nasty next week at state.”

Ballou (125 pounds) and Ellingsworth (171) placed third in their respective weight classes. Demato (140) and Shirley (145) each placed fourth.

McCleary took to the mat for the main event: the heavyweight final against Miege’s Ryan Kincaid. With calves the size of tree trunks and a midsection the size of a Buick, Kincaid dwarfed McCleary in size. Ultimately, McCleary emerged as the victor.

McCleary fell behind early, but he used two escape points, a takedown and a near-fall to take control.

“That was pretty impressive that he was able to pick that kid up,” Burns said of McCleary’s highlight of the match. “He has a lot of determination even though he is undersized today, he was able to get it done.”

When asked about how he got Kincaid off the mat, McCleary did not even realize that he had done it.

McCleary added a near-fall late in the period and went on to claim a 6-3 victory.

The Class 5A state tournament takes place Friday and Saturday at the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita.

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