BonnerSprings.com

State runner-up Jonathan Blackwell wasn’t the only Bonner Springs freshman to overachieve at the Class 5A state wrestling tournament.

Freshman Aaron Puckett did, too.

Unlike the 130-pound Blackwell, Puckett was listed in the rankings prior to the state tournament. The 140-pounder was ranked sixth and ultimately brought home a fourth-place medal.

Puckett chuckled when asked about the rankings.

“(Jonathan) wasn’t in the rankings, but he should have been,” Puckett said. “He knocked off three state-ranked guys in this tournament.

“It made me feel good when I saw my name on the ranking board as a freshman because there were only like four in the state. It made me feel pretty nice.”

The state medal around his neck felt better, though. He said he also felt good about being a part of such a successful team — one that boasted three state medalists and will return all five state qualifiers next year.

“It’s real special,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to next year because we’re going to have a strong team.”

Puckett’s stellar freshman campaign included a runner-up finish at the Kaw Valley League Championships and a regional title.

Puckett won his first two matches at state before falling by an 11-9 decision to eventual state runner-up Vance Oliver of Winfield. The state champion, Lansing’s Spencer Blew, beat Puckett in the title match at the KVL tournament.

Puckett compiled a 34-10 record this season.

First-year BSHS coach Brandon Jobe said he was proud of Puckett and the way the freshman competed during his first year of high school wrestling.

“Aaron is a tough-as-nails kid, and he’ll give you everything he’s got every time out on the mat,” Jobe said. “I had high expectations for him coming in, and he fulfilled them.

“At the beginning of the year, he wasn’t at this level. He’s a very skilled wrestler, but he had a lot of things we had to work on throughout the year, and one at a time we knocked them out. He was very coachable, and it worked out great for him.”

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