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The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association released its preseason rankings this week, with several area student-athletes among the top entering the 2025-26 high school wrestling season.
Class 5A Boys
Hutchinson opens the year ranked No. 5 in the state, while Newton checks in at No. 9. The Salthawks feature four wrestlers among the state’s best: junior Cruz Cannon is ranked No. 4 at 126 pounds, junior Cooper Harris is No. 2 at 157, junior Max Harris holds the top spot at 165, and senior Jackson Anderson is No. 5 at 190.
Newton also returns a strong core, led by junior Noah Vela (No. 4, 106), sophomore Wade Stubbs (No. 2, 113), sophomore Exavier Torres (No. 5, 120) and junior Cason Horton (No. 2, 190).
Class 4A Boys
No area teams appear in the Top 10, but Buhler has three individuals ranked: junior Sammy Hershberger (No. 3, 144), senior Luke Kerns (No. 5, 175) and sophomore Jacob Kurklow (No. 6, 190).
Class 3-2-1A Boys
Two area wrestlers earned preseason recognition — Tanner Loughrie (sr., Haven) is No. 5 at 132, while Jace Grizzle (jr., Lyons) opens the season ranked No. 1 at 150.
All-Class Boys Rankings
Several local standouts also earned statewide recognition regardless of classification: Newton’s Wade Stubbs is No. 5 at 120, Hutchinson’s Cruz Cannon No. 5 at 126, Buhler’s Sammy Hershberger No. 8 at 138, Lyons’ Jace Grizzle No. 6 at 157, and Hutchinson’s Max Harris No. 4 at 165.
Class 5A Girls
Newton enters the season ranked No. 3 among Class 5A girls programs, while Hutchinson’s Aaida Brown (soph.) is ranked No. 5 at 100 pounds. Newton’s lineup is loaded with talent, including top-ranked wrestlers Brookelyn Treaster (jr., 105), Avery Hinojos (sr., 115) and Jaeann James (sr., 130). Other Railers in the rankings are Ashley McMullin (sr., No. 6 at 120), Ryah Bristol (soph., No. 3 at 140) and Makaelyn Davis (jr., No. 6 at 145).
Class 4A Girls
Pratt is ranked No. 4 as a team and features several top individuals. Senior Gracelyn Hembree is ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds, while Miranda Webb (sr.) holds the top spot at 145. McPherson’s Tylee Wilson (sr.) is No. 3 at 115, Buhler’s Macey Parks (sr.) is No. 2 at 135, and Nickerson’s Elizabeth Dick (sr.) is No. 1 at 235.
Class 3-2-1A Girls
Lyons boasts three ranked wrestlers: sophomore Taylor Baxter (No. 6, 105), senior Kennedy Grizzle (No. 2, 110) and sophomore Jaecyn Boeken (Lyons/Sterling co-op, No. 4, 115).