By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
PARK CITY -- Washburn Rural junior wrestling star Easton Broxterman admits that he used to be a bundle of nerves before he took the mat for a big match.
These days it's Broxterman's opponents that should be nervous.
Washburn Rural junior Easton Broxterman (top) dominated Saturday's 132-pound championship match en route to a 15-0 technical fall, winning his second straight state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Washburn Rural junior Easton Broxterman points up to the Rural cheering section after capping a 49-1 win with his second state title. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
"This year's been different,'' Broxterman said. "I've been pretty confident and I've been wanting to wrestle, but before that I think if you ask any of my coaches, I was always the most nervous.
"I always felt like throwing up. I threw up a lot before all my matches, but this year I've just been anxious, not even been nervous anymore, just ready to go out there.''
On Saturday night at Hartman Arena Broxterman appeared to be as cool as a cucumber as he methodically posted a 15-0 second-period technical fall over Maize freshman Vincent Rosas to earn his second straight Class 6A state championship in his third straight final-round appearance.
Broxterman finished off a 49-1 season to claim the first of Rural's three individual state championships as the Junior Blues finished a strong third as a team.
The Junior Blues also got back-to-back state championships from junior Kristjan Marshall at 150 pounds and senior Brody Byrne at 157 while sophomore Landen Kocher-Munoz added a runnerup finish at 138 pounds.
As he was throughout the tournament, Broxterman was in control of his championship match from the outset, closing in on his tech fall with a 13-0 lead by the end of the opening period before ending the match just 27 seconds into the second period.
"I was just excited,'' Broxterman said. "I know I've been wanting to wrestle that kid all year. I knew it was going to be me and him from the get go and I just wanted to get out there and prove that I'm the best and I'm the guy to beat.''
Washburn Rural junior Kristjan Marshall has his hand raised as the 150-pound Class 6A state champion Saturday at Hartman Arena. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Marshall, meanwhile, had to work overtime to get his first state title, taking a 10-8 decision over Mill Valley senior Brady Mason.
"I don't even know what just happened to be honest,'' a stunned Marshall said after his win. "I've only been wrestling for this is my fifth year now and this was a dream. I don't believe it's true.
"I was ready for a good match. I was prepared, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I just had to keep sticking to it.''
While celebrating his title, Marshall rooted on his training partner, Byrne, who he credited with helping get through his title match.
"This is what me and my partner have been working on, that final minute, that final go,'' Marshall said. "He's been beating me all season and making me push harder and harder.''
Washburn Rural senior Brody Byrne (right) won the Class 6A 157-pound state title Saturday at Hartman Arena. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Byrne also had a nailbiter in his state final, scoring late to take a 6-4 decision over Olathe North junior Ender Rider.
"This is better than anything I've felt before,'' Byrne said. "I've been working 12 years for this.''
Byrne said he was fired up for his match after watching Marshall get his title.
"It was amazing watching him win,'' Byrne said. "All I wanted this year was for both of us to end with our first titles ever. We've been putting in the work all season and it shows. We've been going harder than anyone else, we've been pushing each other.''
Both Marshall and Byrne had posted fourth-place finishes in 2023 before Saturday's title run. Marshall finished 39-4 on the year and Byrne 37-3.
Kocher-Munoz, a state champ as a freshman, made it back to the finals for a second straight season before dropping an 11-3 major decision to Mill Valley senior Dillon Cooper in the 138 final, finishing his season at 36-5.
Washburn Rural also got fourth-place finishes from 106-pounder sophomore Ryder Harrison, 144-pound freshman Brodye Kocher-Munoz and senior 165-pounder Chase Calhoon and a sixth-place showing from sophomore 126-pounder Cooper Stivers.
Harrison finished his season 47-14 while B. Kocher-Munoz was 40-14 on the year, Calhoon 28-12 and Stivers 11-5.
Washburn Rural coach Josh Hogan exhorts his team during Saturday's Class 6A state tournament at Hartman Arena, with Rural finishing third as a team. [Photo by Selena Favela/Special to TSN]
Rural's Centennial League rival claimed the 6A title with 185 points while Mill Valley finished second with 175 points, just five points in front of the Junior Blues.
