Short roster factors in Fort Scott wrestling split

ALTAMONT, Kan. -- Fort Scott High School's wrestling team might have been in position to sweep a Southeast Kansas League wrestling triangular Thursday night. The Tigers defeated Labette County and won five out of the eight matches that were held against Independence.

But the Tigers had five open weights and Independence had just two. With one being a double forfeit scoring no points, that means Fort Scott surrendered 24 points (six points per forfeit) to the Bulldogs.

Fort Scott ended up splitting the triangular, beating LCHS 42-21 and losing to Independence 39-31.

The Tigers (3-1 SEK, 9-5 overall) are down to 10 wrestlers in the program, nine of whom wrestle on the varsity. Although those nine are working hard and getting results, it makes winning duals difficult and winning tournaments impossible.

And David Brown, the Tigers' head coach, had something to say about it.

"We wrestled well all night and are getting better with each outing," he said. "The wrestlers of FSHS are a unique and valuable asset to the community. We lose to Independence because of a lack of participation. There are 14 weight classes in high school wrestling. We are a school of about 500 students. Yet our team has diminished to 10 wrestlers. We have far too many students walking the halls who do not participate in the vast activities provided by this great high school and, as a result, they are missing out on the cornerstone values that activities can teach. Values such as hard work, discipline, fair play, sportsmanship, determination, sacrifice, commitment --I could go on and on.

"Those 10 wrestlers in my room are forced to recognize that these values are a path to success. We need to change our culture from the apathetic to the enthusiastic. We need a culture where the greatest value is placed on hard work, discipline, fair play, sportsmanship, determination, sacrifice, and commitment. Ultimately, we can provide the opportunity, but encouragement and support must come from both inside and outside the school. Family members, neighbors, employers are the valuable groups that establish and invoke cultural change. In my 25 years of coaching, I know this to be true: Many of the greatest accomplishments are not performed by the greatest athletes. Rather, it is the participant who has learned the lessons taught in activities that goes forth and accomplish great things."

Other wrestling programs have also found trouble filling out rosters this season -- Parsons has only three on its varsity, for example. Labette County and Indy were no exceptions, thus only six Tigers got to wrestle in both duals.

Senior Justin Sharp recorded a pair of pins, as did younger brother Tyler. Denzell Davis was also 2-0, with one win via forfeit from LCHS. John Metcalf also was 2-0 with a forfeit from Independence. Each member of the Tiger lineup won at least one match.

Fort Scott is idle until next weekend, when the Tigers will participate in the two-day Rose Hill Tournament.

FORT SCOTT 42, LABETTE COUNTY 21

103: Tyler Sharp (FS) pinned Trent Walker. FS, 6-0.

112: Both teams open. FS, 6-0.

119: Denzell Davis (FS) wins by forfeit. FS, 12-0.

125: Both teams open. FS, 12-0.

130: Justin Sharp (FS) pinned Seth Trimmell. FS, 18-0.

135: Victor Hughes (FS) wins by forfeit. FS, 24-0.

140: Michael Durossette (FS) pinned John Kelly. FS, 30-0.

145: Channing Hosey (LC) wins by forfeit. FS, 30-6.

152: Anthony Whitley (LC) dec. Blake Cowen, 10-3. FS, 30-9.

160: John Metcalf (FS) pinned Colton Grant. FS, 36-9.

171: John Hambleton (LC) pinned Dane Cummings. FS, 36-15.

189: Both teams open. FS, 36-15.

215: Tyler McElroy (LC) wins by forfeit. FS, 36-21.

285: Drew Bryant (FS) pinned Bryce Baker. FS, 42-21.

INDEPENDENCE 39, FORT SCOTT 31

103: Tyler Sharp (FS) pinned Brandon Dick. FS, 6-0.

112: Sean Delano (IN) wins by forfeit. TIed, 6-6.

119: Denzell Davis (FS) pinned Jacob Davis. FS, 12-6.

125: Both teams open. FS, 12-6.

130: Justin Sharp (FS) pinned Cody Adkins (IN). FS, 18-6.

135: Tim Erbe (IN) pinned Victor Hughes. FS, 18-12.

140: Cole Keller (IN) pinned Michael Durossette. Tied, 18-18.

145: Alec Medlock (IN) wins by forfeit. IN, 24-18.

152: Nathan Gardner (IN) wins by forfeit. IN, 30-18.

160: Blake Cowen (FS) dec. Micah Knight, 9-8. IN, 30-21.

171: John Metcalf (FS) wins by forfeit. IN, 30-27.

189: Dane Cummings (FS) maj. dec. Johnny Ainesworth. FS, 31-30.

215: Tyler McElroy (IN) wins by forfeit. IN, 36-31.

285: Damone Hatch (IN) dec. Drew Bryant, 3-2. IN, 39-31.