SALINA—Before the wrestling season began, Augusta’s Luke Henning admitted he didn’t set high enough expectations for himself. That was part of the reason why he didn’t even place at last year’s State tournament.
He changed his approach this year and said he wouldn’t settle for anything less than a finals appearance in the State championship.
Too lofty? He didn’t think so.
Henning made it to the finals of the 285-pound weight division at this past weekend’s State wrestling tournament at the Bicentennial Center in Salina. He was an underdog to beat Andale’s B.J. Finney, who was undefeated.
Henning knew he could give him a great match, but in the end, Finney got the best of him. He pinned Henning 1:03 into the final period. Still, Henning was glad to take second place.
“During my quarters match, after I won that, I knew I was going to place, but that wasn’t enough for me,” Henning said.
“It just took heart, no matter hard the match is,” Henning said about getting to the finals.
Augusta had one other wrestler place. Nick Collins (145) earned a fourth-place medal.
Collins had the finals in his sights against Abilene’s Aaron Morgan. Tied 3-3 going into the final period of the semi-final match, Morgan escaped to take a one-point lead. Collins got his second takedown to reclaim the lead, and nearly won, but Collins was caught too high on Morgan’s back, and he scored a reversal, giving him a 6-5 win.
“I had him. I was up by a point and tried to throw legs, and he just came out from behind. I just couldn’t get away,” Collins said. “...It’s an honor to compete in the tournament, but I wanted to be in the final so bad. It was heartbreaking that I lost.”
Chase Wells (135), Garrett Emond (140) and Andrew Robertson (215) won at least one match before being eliminated. Brendon Delancy (171) and senior Brandon Swa (152) lost their first two matches.
“I’m just happy I was here to experience it before my graduation,” Swa said. “It’s been awesome [to be on the team], all my friends, get a really good work ethic.”
Augusta’s 38.5 team points was good for 15th.
