Returning six of the eight state qualifiers from the 2024-25 season, the Concordia High School wrestling team is seeking another successful year with a large roster for this Panther squad.
Graduating from last year’s team are big names like Tracer Murdock, Drew Sterrett, Carter Eakins and Ruby Genereux. Murdock and Sterrett both placed at the state meet last year.
“With each new year comes new chances for kids to step up; we lost talented kids from last year but we are excited for the group of kids that we do have,” said head coach Josh Brown.
The Panthers are returning Tre Hamiel, Drake Blochlinger, Max Metzler, Airiana Wogomon, Gabi Lange and Harlee Weathersbee, with Metzler and Wogomon being the only seniors out of the bunch. Other seniors include Rush LeDuc, Clayton Viereck, and newcomer Jori Letourneau on the girls’ side.
“It’s always nice to have experience in the room, which leads to leadership roles for the kids that have been in the program,” said Brown.
Some other key names returning this year are sophomore Bridgette Blochlinger, who was 20-7 before ending the season due to injury; Deekon Holbert, who went 29-14 in his sophomore year, with names like Quinn Kymer, Bryson Sorensen, Braytin Hake and Harlin Bannister, who all had solid seasons as underclassmen.
“We are excited for the group that returned and had success last year and excited for some of those younger kids that didn’t have their greatest season, but they’re excited and ready to reach for higher goals.”
This will also be the third year with a separate junior high girls’ program, which is allowing girls to gain more experience and develop a knack for the sport earlier and be better prepared for the high school level.
The Panthers open their season on the road Dec. 4 in a dual versus Abilene, starting at 6 p.m. for the boys and girls teams. The first home competition is a dual versus Chapman, the other home duals are February 5 against Marysville and February 12 against Clay Center.
