HAYS -- Kolton Field had something special planned for the last celebration of his high school wrestling career.   

After taking a hard-earned win in the 132 final to notch his third straight championship, the Norton senior treated the Gross Memorial Coliseum crowd to an impressive backflip during Saturday's Class 3-2-1A tournament. 

"I kind of knew I was going to do one," Field said. "I had to give (the crowd) what they wanted. I've been kind of messing around in the room and doing flips and stuff, so I figured I might as well show if off." 

It was a memorable end to a remarkable career for Field, who took a 3-1 decision over Hoxie's Dayton Bell for the 3-peat.

Field finished his career with a 12-0 mark in the state tournament. His previous titles came at 120 and 126 pounds.  

"It's kind of hard to believe. It just happens so fast," Field said. "Once you get into high school and start your high school life everything just goes by in a blink." 

Field has met Bell seven times over the last two years, including in the 126 title match last year. Field has never lost against Bell, but the No. 2-ranked Hoxie junior hung tough on Saturday.  

"Here lately I've wrestled him quite a few times in a row and each time he keeps adjusting his style to slow me down, since I'm much of a fast-paced type wrestler," Field said. "I knew he was just going to keep it close and hang onto whatever he can and not let many points be scored." 

Bell (33-10) went on the aggressive in the third period, but Field didn't surrender anything, finishing the season with a 36-2 mark.  

"I knew I just had to stay in good position," Field said. "The Hoxie boys, they know how to make big moves happen when they need them. I just needed to stay smart and hang onto whatever I could and not let anything slide." 

Field burst on the scene in the state tournament as a sophomore to win his first title before establishing himself as one of the top wrestlers in 3-2-1A.  

"I've came a long way," Field said. "My freshman year, I didn't really make an impact at all. Then (former Norton head coach Bill Johnson) got my life flipped around. He's been a great mentor ever since and just kept me on the right path." 

It was the second title of the day for Norton after junior Garrett Urban became a state champ for the first time by pulling out a 6-3 decision against Hoxie freshman Sam Watkins in the 170 final.  

Urban was 0-3 against Watkins entering the match, including a 9-2 decision loss in the regional final.  

Watching Urban break through reminded Field of the way he won his first tournament title as a sophomore. Field entered the tournament with 15 losses that year. 

"It was crazy because my first title was the same way," Field said. "I kept getting beat by the same guy."

"I kind of took (Urban) back to the wrestling room and we we're just kind of working on the little things. I told him what to watch for and what to try. It was just awesome (to see him win the title)."

Urban (35-10) took control late in the match to take down the No. 1-ranked Watkins (40-4).

"I wrestled him a few times and knew what to expect," Urban said. "First period wasn't the best, but come the second, I knew that I had been wrestling a lot better. I felt good the rest of the match." 

"Beginning of the match I wasn't nervous at all," he added. "I knew I could wrestle with him and just gave it my all." 

Urban immediately pointed toward the section of Norton fans in the stands before jumping into the arms of his coaches.  

"It was awesome," Urban said. "After I won the match and I looked up into the crowd, it just felt unreal." 

The win held special significance for Urban and his family. His grandfather, Larry Urban, won a state championship 60 years ago for Norton.   

Norton finished sixth as a team in their first year under head coach Bill Broeckelman. 

"We're really young," Field said. "Broeckelman's going to have a good group of kids in the next three years to work with." 

LARNED'S HOOK COMES UP CLUTCH  

Despite trailing by a point in the closing moments of the 126-pound title match, Larned senior Dillen Hook felt well equipped to make the move that would win him a state championship.  

Hook came up with a reversal with about 15 seconds left to take a 2-1 decision over No. 1-ranked Carson Ochs from Hoxie.  

"One of my teammates is real good at riding legs, so we've defended it a lot," Hook said. "It was kind of just a natural move. When he stuck the leg in, I knew I could hit it. It was a close call, though. It was a good match." 

Hook had wrestled Ochs once before outside of the high school season, giving him an idea of what to expect from the Hoxie sophomore, who finished 36-5 on the season.  

"We're both two really good wrestlers and we've wrestled before, and so we know each other a little bit," Hook said. "At this tournament, when you're in the finals, it's all close matches. No matter who it is, you've got to strategize a little bit and not make mistakes." 

Hook, ranked No. 5 entering the tournament, finished his senior season with a 38-5 record.  

"It's one of the best feelings in the word, especially working so hard for this for so many years, wrestling since I was five years old," Hook said. "Summer practices and national tournaments and everything, it all finally paid off." 

JAYHAWK-LINN'S WHITE GOES BACK-TO-BACK  

Jayhawk-Linn's Corbin White stayed in control throughout the 120-pound title match to secure his second straight championship.  

White won a 6-0 decision over Ellis' Mason Younger to finish his senior season with a 29-3 record.  

He got a takedown in the first period, a reversal in the second period and another takedown in the third. 

"Before the match my dad talked to me and said, 'Make sure, no matter what it is, win every position,' and that's what I tried to focus on," White said.  

White took the 106-pound crown as a junior last year.  

"It always feels good to win a state title no matter when it is, but the second one, just to finish on a high note, definitely feels better," he said. "I always feel a little bit of pressure before a match, but as soon as I step on the mat it's go time. I try to just have a clear mind when I go on the mat." 

White reflected on far he's come as a wrestler since the start of his high school career.  

"It's been a crazy career for me, I think," White said. "My freshman year, I was small, undersized, and I didn't have a ton of success. I just kept on building and getting better and better. By my junior year I was full-sized and I was able to capture a state title and this year I was able to finish it off as well.  

"It's been a good ride for me." 

DOUGLASS' MARTIN RALLIES FOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE 

It was a precarious spot for Joe Martin to be in, but the Douglass heavyweight turned the tables in an instant.  

Giving up a significant weight advantage to No. 1-ranked Jacob Carver from Rossville, Douglass found himself on the bottom with Carver in near pinning position.  

But Douglass slipped Carver's grasp and then immediately found the pin at the 2:32 mark to end his career as a state champ.  

"Just keeping cool and make sure my head's on straight," Martin said of escaping from the vulnerable spot. "Not let the nerves get to me, and just wrestle. 

"It could have went either way, I didn't know. Nerves were high. Anybody could have won." 

Martin (25-12) entered the tournament ranked No. 5 in his first season at 285.  

"I've been at 220 the last two years," Martin said. "I went to heavyweight this year because I didn't want to drop the weight. It was a different kind of wrestling. It was a challenge at first, but I overcame it." 

Martin has been outweighed in his most of his matches but was able to adapt.  

"I only weighed at 246 this morning and that guy I bet was pushing every bit of 285," he said of the title match. "I can use my speed to my advantage. A lot of them I'm faster than, I can just out-move. Make sure my positions are just right." 

Carver ended his junior season with a 34-4 record.  
 

FLINTHILLS' GIRTY ADJUSTS TO NEW OPPONENT 

Gavin Girty was thrown for a loop after Friday night's 220 semifinals.  

Girty won his semifinal with a 7-5 overtime decision over Beloit's Braden Burks, but was caught off guard when he learned No. 1-ranked Kaleb Wise from Halstead was defeated by Phillipsburg's Brock Buresh in the other semi.  

"I worked really hard to beat Kaleb Wise all year, and then he ended up not being there," Girty said. "I worked so hard that having somebody unexpected made me go off the walls." 

The No. 2-ranked Girty channeled that energy into a strong performance in the final, beating No. 4-ranked Buresh in a 7-1 decision.  

"I didn't have any idea what the kid from Phillipsburg was like, how he wrestled, how physical he was. I just hoped for the best." 

Girty had seemingly built up a 10-1 lead in the third period before he was deducted five points after his fingers got stuck in Buresh's headgear.  

But Girty remained in firm control to end his senior season with a title and finish 24-4.  

"I was good (even after the deduction)," Girty said. "I knew I could take him down."

Girty said he takes a lot of pride in being just the second state wrestling champion from Flinthills.  

"Flinthills, I wouldn't call it a wrestling school," Firty said. "I feel a lot of pride because I've worked hard by myself with a small team and a different coach almost every year. I've worked hard through all of it, and I feel prideful for the hard work that I've put in." 
 

SCHREINER UNFAZED BY DISLOCATED FINGER, HANDS KOOP FIRST LOSS 

It looked worse than it felt for Colby Schreiner.  

An audible gasp from some spectators could be heard after the Kingman senior dislocated a finger in the first period of his 145-pound title match against previously-unbeaten Creyo Koop from West Elk.  

"It didn't throw me off my game," Schreiner said. "It didn't really hurt when they popped it back in. The adrenaline got the best of me." 

Schreiner proceeded to upset the only unbeaten wrestler left in the tournament, edging the freshman Koop with a 5-3 decision.  

Koop, known for his strong takedowns, went on the offensive late in the match, but Schreiner held firm to take his first title.  

"I definitely felt like I was peaking at the right time," Schreiner said. "I wrestled him the week before at the regionals. I lost a close one that match. I guess it was a blessing in disguise."

"This time, I had to control the pace a lot more, stop his shots, stop his offense. And from there, use my offense." 

Schreiner, ranked No. 4, finished 37-5 while Koop ended his impressive freshman campaign at 44-1.  

"It's incredible just the opportunity to be in the state championship," Schreiner said. "Being here, it was so much fun." 

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM FOR RODRIGUEZ

In the end, Matthew Rodriguez used the previous heartbreak to his advantage.  

After two straight runner-up finishes at the state tournament, the Southeast Saline senior came through in his last go-round, pinning Plainville's Ben Hansen in the second period to take the 182 title.  

"The first time, If I would have won, I don't think I'd be where I'm at now," Rodriguez said. "I've worked hard because of what happened in the past. Just don't wrestle different (in the finals). Just wrestle like I have all year." 

The No. 1-ranked Rodriguez was in control of the match from the get-go in Saturday's final. He finished his senior season with a 35-1 record.  

"Just getting working on my feet, getting the takedowns is a big part of it," Rodriguez said. "Not letting anyone hold me down and just winning on my feet." 

REPUBLIC COUNTY'S DYKE COMPLETES TITLE RUN  

A day after knocking off top-ranked Drew Bretz from Hoxie, Republic County's Jonathan Dyke completed his 152 title run in thrilling fashion.  

Locked at 1 in overtime with Trego's Tanner Sells, Dyke exploded after a re-start from the neutral position with nine seconds left in the period and lifted up Sells for a powerful takedown to clinch the 3-1 decision.  

"It feels great," Dyke said of the title. "It was my goal this whole season. It just feels pretty sweet." 

Dyke (46-4) entered the tournament ranked No. 3. He used late back points against Bretz in the semifinal to take a 4-1 decision over the previous state champion.  

"I just came off the win in regionals, didn't do as I good as I wanted to, but I knew I was right up there with him," Dyke said. "We both wrestled at the Beloit tournament and did about the same. I knew I could do it." 

BELOIT'S WALKER NABS 195 TITLE

Beloit senior Brennan Walker had planned on wrestling at 182 entering this season, but plans changed when Walker was injured in the Trojans' state championship football game against Rossville.  

The injury forced Walker to wrestle at 195.  

"I had no way to cut the weight," Walker said. "I had to get in shape." 

Things worked out well in the end for Walker, who captured the 195 crown with a pin over Douglass' Wade Morgan in the second period.  

The No. 1-ranked Walker wrapped up his senior season with a 21-1 mark.  

"I've always been wanting to do it since I was little, so it feels great," Walker said. "It's been what I've been wanting to do all year. We fell short in football, but got it here." 
 

SOPHOMORE JOHNSON TAKES 106 TITLE 

In a tournament dominated by upperclassmen, Minneapolis' Chase Johnson was the only sophomore to win a 3-2-1A championship on Saturday. 

Johnson secured his 106-pound title with a 6-2 decision over No. 1-ranked Drayton Kennedy from Erie.  

"I've been working hard for it all year. It's really fun," Johnson said. 

The No. 2-ranked Johnson finished with a 33-1 record. He placed sixth last year as a freshman.  

"I gained a lot of muscle mass and just worked really hard all summer and all year," Johnson said.  

Class 3-2-1A state tournament 

Finals 

106 -- Johnson, Minneapolis (33-1) dec. Kennedy, Erie (31-3), 6-2

113 -- Weimer, Hoxie, (37-7) pinned Krier, Oakley, (37-2), 5:23

126 -- Hook, Larned (38-5) dec. Ochs, Hoxie (36-5), 2-1 

132 -- Field, Norton (36-2), dec. Bell, Hoxie (33-10), 3-1

138 -- Bell, Hoxie (40-1) pinned Gardner, Wichita County (47-7), 0:29. 

145 -- Schreiner, Kingman (37-5) dec. Koop, West Elk (44-1), 5-3

152 -- Dyke, Republic County (46-4) SV dec. Sells, Trego (35-7), 3-1 

160 -- Johnson, Hoxie (40-1) dec. Amein, Hoxie, (34-5), 5-3 

170 -- Urban, Norton (35-10) dec. Watkins, Hoxie (40-4), 5-3 

182 -- Rodriguez, Southeast Saline (35-1), pinned Hansen, Plainville (24-4), 2:33

195 -- Walker (21-1), Beloit, pinned Morgan, Douglass (35-10), 2:26

220 -- Girty, Flinthills (24-4) dec. Buresh, Phillipsburg (30-6), 7-1 

285 -- Martin, Douglass (25-12), pinned Carver, Rossville (34-4),