Oakley’s Carter Krier quickly established himself as one of the top young wrestlers in western Kansas during his freshman season two years ago.
Krier racked up 37 wins in the 2021-22 season and finished one victory shy of a Class 3-2-1A state title, dropping a tight match against Hoxie’s Tate Weimer in the 113-pound final.
This season, Krier was tasked with proving himself all over again in his return to the mat after his sophomore campaign was completely derailed by injury.
“I really had to lock in and show people what I can really do, just like I did my freshman year,” Krier said. “It almost felt like I was starting over.”
He’s had no trouble returning to form.
Just like he did as a freshman, Krier claimed a regional championship on Saturday in Norton. He pinned Phillipsburg’s Kaden Sisson in the 126 final to move to 35-1 on the season heading into this week’s 3-2-1A state tournament at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina.
“I feel probably about as good as I can,” Krier said. “It’s kind of been a mental check, coming back after just five matches last year.”
Krier suffered a meniscus tear during the league tournament in his freshman year but wrestled through it for the rest of the season.
“I went through the summer, didn’t really have any problems with it,” Krier said. “I came into football my sophomore year and it completely tore so I had to get surgery to repair it.”
Krier started his sophomore wrestling season in mid-January last year, but he tore his meniscus again after just one tournament.
“It was tough. A lot of character building happens during that break,” Krier said. “It was tough watching other people wrestle and all the success they had. I wanted it so bad but there was nothing I could do about it.
“I had a lot of good people around me who helped build that character and get me back to who I really could be.”
Krier started the season at 132 pounds before dropping to 126 after the holiday break. He rose to the top of the 3-2-1A rankings in early January and has remained there.
“I felt like I was going under the radar a little bit at the beginning of the season,” Krier said. “I think I did a pretty good job proving myself. It feels good to be back on top.”
Saturday’s win in the final was Krier’s second victory on the season against Sisson, who is ranked No. 2 at 126 in 3-2-1A.
Krier’s lone loss came in the finals of Hays’ Bob Kuhn Prairie Classic when he dropped a 6-2 decision to Manhattan’s Cameron Coonrod.
“It was very beneficial,” Krier said. “That was a mental check for me. Maybe I was getting a little lackadaisical. I was able to lock it back in after that.”
Krier earned pins in all four of his regional matches.
“I feel like it’s good momentum but the job’s not done,” Krier said. “I’m going to be grinding to try and stay on top.
“I’m ready. I want it so bad.”
Other champions at Norton regional
– Quinter’s Tate Blackwill took a 5-2 decision over Norton’s Kaleb Keiswetter in the 106-pound final.
– Hoxie’s Kash Schiltz won a 1-0 decision over Norton’s Derek Clydesdale in 113 final.
– Reigning state champion Ian Giancola from Hoxie won the 120-pound regional title with a 4-2 decision over Trego’s Ashton Wynn.
– Shane Todd from St. Francis was the 132-pound regional champion. Hoxie’s Carson Ochs, an undefeated state champ last year, reached the final in his first action this season after recovering from offseason surgery. Ochs didn’t wrestle in the final as a precaution.
– Oberlin-Decatur’s Lukas Zodrow was the 138-pound champion after pinning Phillipsburg’s Blake Buresh in the second period of the final.
– Reigning champ Mason Younger from Ellis moved to 33-1 on the season with a 8-0 major decision over Norton’s Brennen Pfannenstiel in the 144 final.
– Wichita County’s Wyatt Gardner improved to 44-2, earning a pin against Phillipsburg’s Cole Keeten in the first period of the 150 final.
– Hoxie’s Duncan Bell claimed the 157 title with an 8-3 decision over Hill City’s Dayton Stephen.
– In the 165-pound final, Hoxie’s Easton Nickelson took a 2-0 decision over Phillipsburg’s Kayden Hudson.
– Reigning champion Aiden Amrein from Hill City won the 175-pound title, moving to 39-1 on the season. Amrein was in control of the title match before it was halted late in the second period when opponent Garrett Emigh of Oberlin-Decatur was disqualified.
– Hoxie’s Sam Watkins improved to 35-2 on the season with a 10-0 major decision over Smith Center’s Luke Franklin in the 190 final.
– Norton’s Colton Stover beat reigning state champ Eli Franklin from Smith Center in the 215-pound final by a 3-2 decision.
– Norton’s Corbin Puga moved to 33-2 on the season with a 7-3 decision over Smith Center’s Kharson Montgomery in the 285-pound title match.
– Three-time defending Class 3-2-1A state champion Hoxie won the team regional title with 197 points. Norton was second with 150 points followed by Phillipsburg in third with 145.
OTHER WESTERN KANSAS WRESTLING STANDOUTS
– Russell had two champions at the Southeast of Saline 3-2-1A regional. Xzephren Donner upset top-ranked Jai-Sean Phillips from Larned, earning the pin in the 106-pound final. In the 175-pound title match, Brayden Suchy took an 8-3 decision over Hoisington’s Teron Kraft.
– Scott City was the Class 4A regional runner-up at Colby, with three Beavers winning titles. Trenton Frank was the 106-pound champion, winning a 9-1 major decision over Clay Center's Thayne Pfizenmaier in the final. At 175, Houston Frank moved to 41-1 with a 5-0 decision over McPherson’s Jase Fitzmorris in the title match. Tanner Gooden was the 215 champion, taking a 10-3 decision over Wamego’s Jake Meyer.
– Hosting Colby had three regional champions. Ryder Dempewolf claimed the 113 title with a 14-2 decision over Abilene’s Gage Taylor in the final. Kaeden McCarty took a 10-3 decision over Wamego’s Jake Meyer in the 120 final. In the 132 title match, Tucker Wark moved to 37-1 with a pin of Clay Center’s Morgan Brumfield late in the third period.
– Holcomb’s Gregery Martinez was the 138 champ at the Colby regional, sealing the title with a 3-2 decision over Wamego’s Knox Karnowski.
– Ulysses’ Braysen Salinas was the 144 champ at the Colby regional. He picked up a 13-5 major decision over Colby’s Eric Schroeder in the final.
– At the Class 5A regional in Arkansas City, Hays’ Harley Zimmerman continued his undefeated season, moving to 38-0. He pinned Newton’s Bailey Steinmetz in the 144 final.
– Jace Schartz helped lead Great Bend to a runner-up finish at the Arkansas City regional. Schartz pinned Goddard’s Eastyn Vieyra to win the 157 title.
– Garden City had a pair of champions at the 6A regional tournament at Wichita North. Braydon Pacheco improved to 44-1 on the season with a 7-0 decision over Derby’s Jayden Grijalva in the 106 final. In the 120 title match, Matthew Long took an 8-2 decision over Manhattan’s Caeleb Hutchinson.
Note: Look for KSHSAA Covered’s state wrestling storylines mid-week for more features on wrestlers from western Kansas and all over the state.