BonnerSprings.com

Chances are that most people in the area caught at least a game or two when the Basehor-Linwood boys basketball team won the Class 4A state championship two years ago.

It’s also likely that quite a few people saw the BLHS softball team compete at some point during its state championship season last spring.

But have you witnessed the state champion trifecta?

What I mean, of course, is the Bobcats’ other state champion: wrestler Symon Seaton.

Seaton captured the state title at 125 pounds last February and compiled a 34-2 record for the season. He was just a junior, meaning fans still have one more year to catch him in action as he pursues a second straight title.

Numerous opportunities abound to watch him compete at home this season, whether it’s at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when the season opens against Bonner Springs and Piper at BLHS, or Jan. 14-15 at the Bobcat Classic.

Bonner Springs fans should have interest in seeing Seaton compete as well. He’s the son of BLHS coach Ed Seaton, a two-time state champ when he competed for Bonner Springs.

Meanwhile, Braves fans craving state championship-caliber competition need look no further than their own BSHS wrestling team.

The Braves have no state champions — yet. They have a room full of serious title contenders, however. Sophomore Jonathan Blackwell reached the state finals in Class 5A as a freshman, and he has his sights set on a championship this year when the Braves compete in Class 4A.

In addition, sophomore Aaron Puckett was a fourth-place state medalist last year, and senior Caleb Seaton — Symon Seaton’s cousin — has placed fourth at state three years in a row. While speaking with him at state last year he made it clear that he will do whatever it takes to be competing for a championship as a senior.

Braves fans who want to see the squad in action can catch them at the Dick Burns Mat Classic Jan. 8 at the Bonner Springs District P.E. Center. Basehor-Linwood will be there too.

Beyond returning medalists and champions, both Basehor-Linwood and Bonner Springs boast additional depth on their wrestling rosters, and both squads should hold their own just fine in the always-tough Kaw Valley League.

Both squads are teams on the rise that put their schools on the map a year ago. This winter should be even more exciting, and it would be well worth fans’ time to catch these current and future champion in action.

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