The Barton Community College wrestling team took the mat for the second time this spring in the state of Nebraska competing in the Cusatis Open this past Saturday hosted by Hastings College in Hastings, NE. The Cougars had three reaching the semifinals with Kade Sander being the lone survivor going on to capture his first third place of the season after finishing fourth four other times including as recent as last week’s meet. Barton will stay in the state of Kansas until the end of the month beginning with Thursday’s dual meet held at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas.
Sander received a first round bye then earned a hard fought 4-2 decision over unattached grappler Courtney Strauss before scoring a late 6:58 fall over Colorado School of Mines’ Ethan Ruby. Sander’s run in the championship side of the bracket then came to an end as Baker University’s Tanner Ogden came out on the top side of a 5-3 decision. Waiting for Sander on the consolation side of the bracket was Strauss and just like the earlier meeting in the day, Sander prevailed scoring a narrow 3-2 win. Reaching the third place match for the fifth time on the year, the Great Bend freshman finally broke through scoring his second consecutive 3-2 decision knocking off unattached Tevin Briscoe to earn third place.
The Cougars had two others reach the semifinal round as Sean Taborsky reached in the 165 class while Christian Strother reached in 174 weight. Unfortunately for both, each lost the semifinal round, as well as, their respective consolation semifinal round to end their tournament run.
