Phillipsburg’s Blake Buresh has put his full wrestling arsenal on display throughout a dominant senior season. 

Whether it’s finding the quick pin, or methodically overwhelming opponents for a technical fall or a major decision, the 157-pound reigning state champion has rarely been challenged. 

Buresh pushed his record to 38-0 with a 19-7 major decision over St. Francis’ Dayton Fromholtz  in the finals at his home Panther Classic in Phillipsburg on Saturday. 

The senior has posted 18 pins, 11 technical falls and six major decisions on the season. 

“I'd rather get like three takedowns than a (quick) fall,” said Buresh, who is closing in on 150 career victories and owns Phillipsburg's record for career victories. “I’ll take a technical fall.”

Buresh captured the Class 3-2-1A 157-pound title in thrilling fashion last year, edging Atchison County’s Easton Schletzbaum in sudden-victory overtime in the final.

“(The title) meant a lot to me,” Buresh said. “I’m going to continue with this sport in college, and it gave me a lot of confidence.”

Buresh recently committed to Iowa Western Community College. 

“They have great facilities out there, so I was in, right when they gave me a scholarship,” Buresh said. “It felt good (to commit). It took me a while to do that, and it helped me stay loose on the mat.”

Buresh captured a Mid-Continent League title on Jan. 30 in WaKeeney and previously won titles at the Christmas City Classic in WaKeeney, the Colby Eagle Invitational, the Abilene Invitational, the Jayhusker in Marysville and the Bob Kuhn Classic in Hays. He’s ranked No. 4 at 157 in the all-class rankings. 

“I just always try to get my conditioning up, so I can wrestle a full match and just not get too frustrated,” Buresh said. 

“I want to get better every week. Keep building.”
 

HOXIE CONTINUES TO FLEX MUSCLE 

Five-time reigning Class 3-2-1A champion Hoxie rolled to Mid-Continent League and Phillipsburg Panther Classic team titles in its past two tournaments. 

The Indians, ranked No. 1 in Class 3-2-1A, put up 224 points to dominate the MCL meet. They produced four individual league champions – Ian Giancola (132), Chase Meyer (144), Noah Nickelson (150) and Draden Herl (190). 

At the Phillipsburg meet, Hoxie finished with 219 points. Simon Watkins (126), Ian Giancola and Carter Giancola (165) all won their weights. 

Ian Giancola, a two-time state champion, is 29-0 on the season. Giancola beat Norton’s Derek Clydesdale, a reigning state champ, in the finals at the MCL and Phillipsburg meets. 

OTHER WESTERN KANSAS BOYS WRESTLING STANDOUTS 

– Brothers Xzander (106) and Xzephren Donner (120) have been dominant for Russell. Xzander is 35-0 and ranked No. 1 at 106 pounds in 3-2-1A while Xzephren, a reigning state champion, is 35-1 and ranked No. 1 at 120. Both brothers won Mid-Continent League titles on Jan. 30 before winning their weights at the Phillipsburg Panther Classic on Saturday. 

– Scott City captured the Great West Activities Conference team title in Friday’s tournament at Ulysses. The Beavers had three individual champions – Matthew Wheeler (150), Blaze Gossman (165), Max Depperschmidt (285). Other GWAC champions were Cimarron’s Reed Moore (106), Colby’s Julian Salcido (113), Holcomb’s Angelo Otero (120), Ulysses’ Maddox Delgado (126), Colby’s Talon Wark (132), Goodland’s Trayven Conger (138), Hugoton’s Cooper Nix (144), Holcomb’s Javid Corral (157), Hugoton’s Von Grubbs (175), Goodland’s Michael Johnston (190), Hugoton’s and Uvaldo Martinez (215). 

– Hays’ Archer Amrein (175) and Tanner Geist (285) claimed titles at the Phillipsburg Panther Classic. Ellsworth also had two individual champions at the Phillipsburg meet – Keegan Urbanek (190) and Micah Galvan (215). 

– Smith Center’s Kharson Montgomery, a two-time state runner-up, is 38-0 on the season at 285. Montgomery was one of four Mid-Continent League champions for the Redmen along with Karson Nichols (138), Parker Hutchinson (165) and Dominick Kattenberg (215). Other MCL champions included Hill City’s Ryan Budig (126) and WaKeeney-Trego’s Cass Smith (175). 

– Norton’s Kaleb Keiswetter, a two-time reigning state champion, took a 3-1 decision over Hoxie’s Bradyn Wilson in the 113 final at the Phillipsburg meet to move to 36-3 on the season. Keiswetter also was the MCL champ at 113. Jatin Weigel also took first in Philipsburg with an 8-6 decision over Hoxie’s Chase Meyer in the 144 final.