(Photo by Scott Kovac)
Senior captain Chad Shore helped lead the Pirate wrestling team to a successful 2004-2005 season. Shore and teammate Kevin Kearns qualified for the 4A State Tournament.
PIRATE GRAPPLERS
PREPARE FOR REGIONALS
February, 15, 2005
The Piper wrestling is busy this week preparing for the regional tournament in Ft. Scott Kansas on Feb. 18th and 19th. Coach Hartshorn says, “This team has really worked hard and several members have a great chance to qualify for State in Wichita on February 25th and 26th.
The Pirates will be led by senior Stephen Kerns (135) who finished the regular season with a 28-6 record after placing 2nd in the Kaw Valley League tournament this weekend. Kevin Kerns (jr.) at 24-12 and Daniel Duffett (fr.) 21-9 will be heavy favorites to finish in the top four this weekend.
The Pirates will also be anchored by strong seniors Chad Shore 25-12 at 125 and Kevin Montgomery 15-9 at 160.
Hartshorrn said the Regional Meet is always tough. "You have to wrestle 5 or 6 matches in 2 days to qualify for State. Only the top 4 wrestlers advance to the State Tournament". Hartshorn also said about this years team, “We want to extend this season as long as we can, with this many seniors on a close knit team it is always hard to watch them end their high school careers. This has been great senior led team and I will miss them all".
The Pirates finished there season 5-7 but hope to qualify many individuals for the State Tournament.
PIRATES 4TH AT OWN INVITATIONAL
The Piper wrestling team finally got back into action after a long Christmas break due to weather. The Pirates split a pair of duels with Christian Prep Academy and Lansing Thursday night. They beat CPA 53-18 and lost to Lansing 66-6 improving their record to 4-4 on the season.
On Saturday the Pirates wrestled in there own invitional and placed 4th scoring 129 points behind champion Ottawa 153, 2nd Place Blue Valley 151, and 3rd place Bishop Ward 133.
Kevin Montgomery back from an early season knee injury improved his season record to 10-2 with a victory over Bishop Wards Blain Hachinski in the Finals. Coach Hartshorn said, “It was great to have Kevin back, for him to wrestle so well and rebound back after that type of injury is incredible."
Piper also got 2nd place finishes from Daniel Duffett now 12-6 on the season, Chad Shore (13-8) and Thomas Parry (4-3). They got a 3rd place finish from Stephen Kerns improving his record to 15-4 and a 4th place finish from Chris Harman(7-6).
Coach Hartshorn commented “This team is getting better every week we are not were we need to be but if we continue to work hard we will be really ready to peak at the regionals and that is our goal every year.” The Pirates travel to Atchison Saturday to compete in the Final Fury tournament.
Current Piper Varsity Records as of 2/15
Brett Fearing 
6-12
Kevin Kerns 24-12
Daniel Duffett 21-9
Chad Shore 25-12
Stephen Kerns 28-6
Chris Harman 13-14
Kevin Montgomery 15-9
Matt Briles 10-11
Cody Mikessell 10-16
Jake Harman 4-17
