NORTON, KS- The Cozad wrestling team was on the move this weekend, as it made the long trip to Norton, Kansas, to partake in the J.R. Durham Invitational.

 Head coach Derek Hammerlun said earlier in the week that it would be a good test for his wrestlers because of the different style of wrestling that Kansas wrestlers bring to the mats.

 The more physical style didn’t shake the Makers, as six wrestlers would finish in the top four, as Cozad took sixth overall at the tournament.

 The first placer came in the 112- pound division, where Logan Hunke took fourth place in his bracket. Hunke was upset in the first round by Calvin Ochs of Hoxie 4-2 in overtime. Hunke won his first match in the consolation round, then losing to Alex Kough of Scott City by pin at 4:05.

 Caleb Lucero also finished fourth, as he lost to Garrett Kuhlmann of Shawnee-Mill Valley 6-4. After the tournament, Lucero’s record stand at 16-7 on the year.

 Colton Derr continues to impress as he also took home fourth place in the 130-pound division. Derr was pinned by Colt Rogers of Smith Center at 3:23 in the first round. Derr then advanced after pinning Cole Tripp of Shawnee-Mill Valley at 3:56, then losing to Donovan Schamberger of Hoxie by pin in the first period.

 Junior Kyle Carlson earned another fourth-place finish for the Makers at 135 pounds. Carlson lost to eventual champion Kale Newell of Smith Center 11-6. Carlson then won by major decision over Anthony Gardner of Scott City 10-2, before losing to Brett Terrell of Norton by pin.

 Derrick Kvasnicka was looking to continue his momentum after his dominating performance in Aurora. The Kansas wrestlers got the best of him as he failed to place in the 140-pound weight class.

 Cozad didn’t have a wrestler perform until the 189-pound bracket, as undefeated and top-ranked Tanner Sturgeon took to the mat. Sturgeon wasted little time as he captured another championship to his dream season, defeating Luke Hayes of Scott City 8-5 in the championship match. With the win, Sturgeon improves his record to 19-0 for the year.

 Pedro Garcia continues to be a pivotal anchor for the Haymakers, as he took home a bronze medal over the weekend. Garcia won his opening match by pin at 3:04 over Ross Stewart of McCook, before being defeated by Zach Callahan of Shawnee-Mill Valley 5-1. Garcia however cruised through the consolation bracket to take home third. Pedro is currently 17-9 on the year.

The Cozad wrestling team now prepares for a showdown with rival Lexington on Thursday night in Cozad. The meet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

• Cozad Haymakers
• Cozad Wrestling

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