Cade Lautt is the top senior wrestler in KansasKansas has become a destination state for college coaches to find their gems. The Sunflower State landed seven wrestlers on Division I rosters last year after having 11 in 2018.This class is special, with 17 returning All-Americans across all grades and nine in this senior class. Let's examine the top senior wrestlers in Kansas ...
1. Cade Lautt (St. James Academy)
Projected high school weight class: 220
Projected college weight class: 197/285
Analysis: Cade Lautt has paid the price. His dedication to training and love for the sport have thrust him into the national rankings and landed him on the podium in Fargo. With a high school record of 124-29, he has grown meteorically from seeking out tough competition through a tough schedule. Much of that competition has come from one of our state's toughest weight classes. Lautt is a three-time state placer and recently finished third and fourth in Fargo in each style. He has verbally committed to the University of North Carolina to join his older brother Clay. It is also no surprise that he is an All-State linebacker.
Words from the corner: "It's been a blessing to be able to watch Cade grow as a wrestler and a person during his high school career. Like his brother Clay, Cade believes you have to wrestle the best to be the best and has never run from competition. He's dedicated himself to wrestling during the offseason to prepare himself for his ultimate goal of continuing his career and education at a Division I school and I can't wait to watch Cade compete at UNC. Over the last three years he's grown into the leader of our program and has done a great job showing our underclassmen what it takes to have success in and out of the room." -- Coach Mike Medina
2. Duwayne Villalpando (Maize)
Projected high school weight class: 170/182
Projected college weight class: 174
Analysis: Villalpando has a 92-7 career record, placing third as a freshman and winning the state title as a sophomore. An injury in the Fargo semifinals kept him out his entire junior year. He is a Cadet folkstyle national champion and recently finished third at the UWW Cadet Greco Nationals. He has verbally committed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska. Look out NCAA.
Words from the corner: "Duwayne is one of the most gifted wrestlers I've ever coached. He has a great feel and is rarely out of position. Devin hurt his knee wrestling in the semifinal round of the national freestyle tournament ultimately losing by one point. Unable to continue he was still an All-American. That knee injury cost Duwayne his junior year of wrestling but he is nationally ranked and looking to repeat as champion this year. Look for him to make a mark in Division I wrestling." -- Coach Mike Schauer
3. Jason Henschel (Goddard)
Projected high school weight class: 120/126
Projected college weight class: 125/133
Analysis: Henschel has a career record of 108-21 and two state titles. He was a 2017 USAW cadet Folkstyle All-American and a 2018 Junior folkstyle national champion! He has been dominating with his attack mentality and has been an elite member of many of our national dual teams. Any college coach would love having this kid on their roster.
Words from the corner: "Jason Henschel is one of the quickest and toughest guys I have had the opportunity to coach. He wrestled the second half of the season last year with torn ligaments which required surgery that would have ended his season. Jason never considered not wrestling and finished the season with his second state title. He is chomping at the bit to get back after it this year." -- Coach Brett Means
4. Keegan Slyter (Olathe North)
Projected high school weight class: 126/132
Projected college weight class: 133
Analysis: Where do I start with Keegan Slyter? He is a true warrior, technician, teammate and student. Coming from an awesome wrestling family, everyone knew that this kid was going to be special. Boy has he been. His career record is 126-13. With two state titles, he was one match away from winning all three years. He is a folkstyle All-American and a Fargo All-American. Slyter will look you straight in the eye, is a coaches' dream and keeps great position on the mat. College coaches, here is your next phenom.
Words from the corner: "Keegan Slyter exemplifies all the traits you want to see in a young man. He works hard in the classroom and earns high grades. He leads by example in everything that he does. Keegan continues training year-round in the sport that he loves. However, once winter hits Keegan kicks into another gear. His work ethic in the wrestling room is second to none. Every drill and every live wrestling match is 110%. You cannot tell if he's ahead or behind in any match because he goes full speed all the time. Keegan is a kid that I will want my own kids to learn from and be like." -- Coach Josh Carroll
5. Grant Treaster (Newton)
Projected high school weight class: 120
Projected college weight class: 125
Analysis: Treaster is 99-13 for his career, placing third his freshman year before going 65-6 on his way to two straight state titles. His hard work paid off this year with an All-America finish at Folkstyle Nationals and ultimately landing on the Fargo podium in July. As senior class president with a 4.21 GPA, Treaster is looking at the service academies while his brother Logan wrestles at the U.S. Naval Academy. How is that for a great American.
Words from the corner: "Grant is a dedicated and determined student-athlete. He is a leader both on the mat and in the classroom. Grant is looking at competing at 120 pounds his senior year and to capture his third state title. After high school, Grant looks to continue wrestling at the next level. I'm excited to see what the year brings for Grant." -- Coach Tommy Edgmon
6. Devin Gomez (Maize)
Projected high school weight class: 152
Projected college weight class: 149
Analysis: Gomez has a 138-12 career record, placing third as a freshman, second as a sophomore and ran the table last year with a 50-0 state title season. He is a Cadet folkstyle national champion. I remember having him on my middle school team and thinking this kid is going to make history. His intensity and athleticism have made him a crowd favorite. My advice would be to stay out of his way in his senior finish.
Words from the corner: "Devin Gomez is an incredible wrestler who studies the sport and is a very hard worker. We have counted on him as a great team leader. Devin wants to wrestle in college and would like to become an athletic trainer and has a 3.7 GPA in high school." -- Coach Mike Schauer
7. Gavin Carter (Washburn Rural)
Projected high school weight class: 182
Projected college weight class: 184
Analysis: This kid is a DOER! Gavin has an 87-16 record and is on pace to finish with school records in wins and takedowns, currently at 313. He is a three-time state placer, winning the title as a sophomore. On the national scene, Gavin has made a huge splash, finishing as a three-time Fargo All-American. A three-time USA Wrestling All-American and a three-time UWW All-American! He has a 3.38 GPA and has committed to wrestle at Division I Arkansas-Little Rock.
Words from the corner: "Gavin has quite simply taken over our mat room. Like I told him at camp this summer, I'm in trouble when he graduates because I'm going to have to remember how to coach again. He's the most diverse wrestler I've ever had and can score a dozen ways from every position. Most importantly, he's mature beyond his years and is the greatest leader I've ever seen at this level. He's embracing the role and has put this team on his back." -- Coach Damon Parker
8. Zach Keal (Mill Valley)
Projected high school weight class: 126/132
Projected college weight class: 133
Analysis: On the surface, Keal's 87-24 record goes unnoticed. Anyone familiar with him on the mat knows that he is an elite competitor. His last two years he has a second and third place state finish. On the national scene, Keal has shined as a two-time UWW All-American, folkstyle All-American and landing on the Fargo podium in July. Most importantly, his classroom dedication has him headed to West Point to wrestle for the Army. His future is so bright, he needs to wear shades!
Words from the corner: "Zach is a student-athlete that works daily to improve in the classroom and on the mat. His hard work along with a positive attitude has allowed him to be successful at the state and national level. He leads by example, raises the bar for himself and others to make Mill Valley Jaguar Wrestling the best it can be." -- Coach Travis Keal
T9. Preston Martin (Paola)
Projected high school weight class: 132
Projected college weight class: 133
Analysis: Preston is a three-time state champion with a career 119-8 record. He capped off a stellar junior season with a Fargo Junior Greco placement. This kid is a warrior. He had huge wins for our national dual team and is an absolute crowd pleaser. His senior season is sure to resemble a freight train!
Words from the corner: "Preston will be trying to become the only four-tijme state champ in Paola High School history. He has put more work into wrestling this summer than he has ever done in his life. The work has paid off so far by becoming a Greco All-American at Fargo this past summer. He is a very unique wrestler with a unique style. Preston is a true definition of a student-athlete, earning good grades and showing up to school every day. He has volunteered and helped with all wrestling fundraisers over the past three years to help the team. Preston is hoping to go to college and wrestle or pole vault and wouldn't mind doing both if he can." -- Coach Darvin Willard
T9. Tony Caldwell (Valley Center)
Projected high school weight class: 285
Projected college weight class: 285
Analysis: Every once in a while you have a wrestler on your traveling teams that has a rare character that seems immune to adversity. I will always remember Caldwell as one of those guys. He loves and lives the sport. With a 93-38 record, he is a two-time state finalist and a two-time Fargo All-American. As a teammate, you will not find a better one.
Words from the corner: "Tony has worked very hard all offseason to get back to the finals again this year and end his high school career with a state title. Tony is a phenomenal leader in the wrestling room and outside the wrestling room. He plans to wrestle at the next level in college and wants to major in sports medicine." -- Coach Justin Schwartz
10. Jacob Holt (Garden City)
Projected high school weight class: 138
Projected college weight class: 133/141
Analysis: Holt is a two-time state champion and three-time finalist with a career record of 113-25. His pure athleticism is a blast to watch and I've always appreciated his focused and respectful attitude. Holt has been a valuable team member on our national dual teams with many wins over ranked wrestlers.
Words from the corner: "Jacob is a hard-nosed, in-your-face wrestler and is very hard to score on, keeping in great position on the mat. He is a tireless worker in the gym as well as the classroom. He plans on becoming an orthopedic surgeon." -- Coach Carlos Prieto
Honorable Mention
Brandon Madden (OP-Blue Valley Southwest)
Wyatt Pedigo (Hoisington)
Silas Pineda (Garden City)
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