Johnson earns sixth-place medal in Class 3-2-1A

HAYS -- Jayhawk-Linn's Alan Johnson became the second wrestler in the short history of Jayhawk-Linn's program to earn a State medal when he finished in sixth place at the Kansas Class 3-2-1A State Wrestling Tournament here Saturday.

Johnson, a senior, finished his season with a 32-9 record and was 54-15 in his career. On Saturday, he won a 5-3 decision over Braden Hager of Beloit in the consolation quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he lost by pin to Brian Heintzleman of Easton-Pleasant Ridge. He was pinned in the fifth-place match by Tanner O'Harah of Goodland, who was the one who sent Johnson into consolation with a pin on Friday.

"I am very proud of Alan he had a great state tournament and was seconds away from wrestling for third place," Jayhawk-Linn head coach Brett Kramer said." In his consolation match with Heintzelman of Pleasant Ridge, Alan had him on his back and was very close to the fall before time ran out.

"For Alan to have a disappointing Regional and to put that behind him and put together a great State tournament shows the heart that Alan has. Coach (Darvin) Willard did a great job of getting Alan ready to wrestle for State. He worked with Alan all week on fixing some problems Alan had at regionals.

"Alan has had a great career for us and is one of the hardest working kids I have ever been around, he would do anything that you would ask him to do. Alan is such a great kid he handled him self with such great class on the mat and off the mat, he was a great leader for our team and we will greatly miss him next year."

Caleb Jackson was 0-2 at State and did not wrestle on Friday. He was also a senior and finished the season 17-6 and his career 55-29. This was his second appearance at State.

"Caleb had a great career at Jayhawk-Linn," Kramer said. "He came out as a sophomore the first year Jayhawk-Linn offered wrestling and he had no wrestling experience at all. He was disappointed in his performance at State as he was well in control of his last match and ended up getting caught and rolled to his back and pinned.

"Caleb has made great strides over the years beating numerous State qualifiers and state placers. He has had a great career and will be missed."

Friday's results for each wrestler can be found in Saturday's edition of the Weekend Herald-Tribune.