2004-2005
PIPER WRESTLING NEWS
PIPER WRESTLING PREVIEW
The Piper wrestling team opened its 2004 season with a split against 2 area rivals last Wednesday night. With a 37-36 win over Kaw Valley League opponent Bonner Springs and a 66-16 loss to #8 ranked Louisburg. Piper's record is now 1-0 in the KVL and 1-1 overall.
Piper has a new assistant coach this year in Mike Morgan. Coach Morgan comes to Piper from Oskaloosa were he served as head coach for the last 2 Seasons.
This years Piper team is anchored by a strong group of seniors. Chad Shore at 125, Stephen Kerns at 140 and Kevin Montgomery at 160 look to be strong contenders to qualify for the state tournament. Chris Harmon (sr.) 145 and James Martinez (sr.) 152 will also compete for the Pirates this year. At 112 the Pirates have returning state qualifier Kevin Kerns (jr.). The rest of the varsity will be made up of newcomers Brett Fearing (fr.) 103, Daniel Duffett (fr.) 119, Thomas Perry (fr.) 130 Cody Mikessell (so.)171, Tim Harberger (so.) 215, and Jacob Harmon (fr) 275.
Coach Hartshorn said “ With the seniors we have on this team I expect big things from this team. This is the hardest working team I have ever been around. They come to practice work hard and do what it takes to get better everyday.”
Piper had 3 wrestlers qualify for state last year but the coaches believe that the number will be much higher this year. “I would expect 4 or 5 qualifiers this year. This is the most experience we have had on the mat in my 3 years at Piper".
Piper competes at Sabetha Tournament Saturday, December 11th and the Pleasant Ridge Tournament Saturday December 18th before breaking for the holidays.
PIPER WINS 2 DUALS
RECORD IMPROVES TO 3-1
December 10, 2004
The Piper wrestling team won both duals Thursday night at Tri-City Christian School. They defeated Tri-City 45-30 and Schlagle 40-39.
In the first match Piper started off with Brett Fearing receiving a forfeit and Kevin Kerns winning by pin. Piper then forfeited at 119 making the score 12-6. Piper then rebounded when Chad Shore pinned his opponent at 125 and Daniel Duffett took a forfeit at 130. Both teams were open at 135 making the score 24-6. Stephen Kerns improved his record to 3-0 with a pin at 140; Chris Harman was pinned at 145. James Martinez and Matt Briles took forfeits at 152 and 160 making the score 42-12. Kevin Montgomery moved up a weight class and won 11-6 at 171. Piper lost the final 3 matches of the night by pins but held on for the 45-30 win over Tri-City.
In the second dual of the night Piper got off to another quick with Brett Fearing 15-5 and Kevin Kerns pinning his opponent. Piper forfeited at 119. Then Daniel Duffet won by pin at 125. Chad Shore moved a weight class but took the loss making the score 18-12. Piper took a forfeit at 135 and got a pin from Stephen Kerns at 140. Chris Harmon then lost a hard fought match at 145. Piper got forfeits at 152 and 160 giving Piper what looked like a comfortable lead at 40-16. But Cody Mikessell was pinned at 171 and then in what turned out to be the pivotal match of the night Mitchell Pollock lost 16-0 a technical fall which is worth 5 points instead of the 6 awarded for a pin.
Hartshorn commented, “We asked Mitchell to move up 20 pounds and he went out there and did not get pinned, it was a great effort even though he lost.” That made the score 40-27 assuring the Pirates of victory. Piper forfeited to Schlagle at 215 and Jacob Harman was pinned at 275 ending the dual with Piper squeaking by with the 1-point victory 40-39 over Schlagle.
Coach Hartshorn also commented on the decision to move Chad Shore up a weight class against Schlagle. “I made the decision to move Chad up to 130 and try to win the dual. It did not work out the way we planned for the team or Chad. I have a lot of respect for the Chad for doing this; he is a great leader and put the team ahead of his individual goals. Chad does what the coaches ask of him everyday without question. That is why he is our team captain. He goes beyond what is expected of him both at practice and in competition.”
With the win over Tri-City and Schlagle Piper improves its record to 3-1 on the season.
PIRATE GRAPPLERS 5TH AT SABETHA
December 13, 2004
Led by senior Chad Shore’s 1st place finish at 125, the Piper wrestling team scored 82.5 points and finished 5th at the Tri-State Invitational in Sabetha Saturday.
All 9 Piper wrestlers placed in the top 6 at their weight classes. Stephen Kerns at 140 and Kevin Montgomery at 160 had second Place Finishes. Kevin Kerns at 112 and Daniel Duffett at 119 were third place finishers. Piper also got a fourth place finish from Jacob Harman at 275 and fifth place finishes from Chris Harman 145 and Brett Fearing 103. Cody Mikessell rounded out the tournament with a sixth place finish at 171.
Coach Hartshorn commented, “This is the best we have wrestled at a tournament in my 3 years at Piper. Shore wrestled great winning his first tournament and Montgomery got second in the toughest bracket in the tournament. The guys are really responding well to their coaching and will only get better from this point.
Piper Travels to Sante Fe Trail Thursday for league duals against Sante Fe Trail and Tonganoxie, then they will be in action Saturday at the Pleasant Ridge Tournament.
Team Scores: Auburn, Neb. 213, Sabetha 190, Benton, Mo. 99.5, Marysville 93, Piper 82.5, Rockport, Mo. 62, Pleasant Ridge 43, Shawnee Heights 30
WRESTLERS HEAD INTO BREAK
WITH 4TH PLACE FINISH
December 20, 2004
Behind the Kerns brothers (Kevin and Stephen) at 112 and 135 the Piper wrestling team finished 4th place at the Pleasant Ridge Tournament this weekend. Piper also got a 3rd Place finish from Daniel Duffett at 119 and 4th from Chad Shore at 125. Kevin Motgomery was on his way to a 1st place finish at 160 but suffered a dislocated knee and could not finish the tournament.
All the Pirate wrestlers won matches this weekend. Chris Harman went 1-2 at 140, Cody Mikessell went 2-2 at 171 and Jake Harman went 1-2 at 275. Piper Scored 87 points in taking 4th place. Coach Hartshorn commented, “Basically we wrestled with 7 wrestlers as Montgomery’s injury did not get any points at 160 and Brett Fearing being sick. With those 2 wrestlers we would of definitely made up the points on Waubansee and taken home the 3rd place Trophy.”
Hartshorn also commented on the mental toughness of this year’s squad. “After Kevin Montgomery went out things were pretty gloomy but these guys overcame that and went out and won key matches to help us move up to 4th in the tournament.” Kevin’s injury is not thought to be that serious and we hope to have him back after the Holiday break. The Pirates are off for the next 16 days and return to action against arch rival Bishop Ward Thursday Jan. 6 at Mill Valley High School.
REGIONAL INFORMATION
Fort Scott High School – Bob Beckham, Regional Manager
Baldwin, Basehor--Basehor-Linwood, Bonner Springs, DeSoto, Eudora, Fort Scott, Garnett-Anderson County, Kansas City-Bishop Ward, Kansas City-Piper, Kansas City-Sumner Academy, LaCygne-Prairie View, Louisburg Osawatomie, Spring Hill, Tonganoxie 
