WICHITA, Kan.—
After a season dedicated to hard work, Kapaun Mt. Carmel was proud to have four wrestlers place at the State tournament on Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 held at the Hartman Arena.Of the four wrestlers that placed, two were sophomores who took third in Parker Howell, weight class 106, and Patrick Burrus, weight class 120. Junior Lukas Maki took fourth at 126 pounds, and senior Luke Bean took first at weight class 220. Although Bean was 220 pounds, he experienced little difficulty maintaining weight, he said.
Before the season started, Bean had a set goal of winning the State championship title.
“I was undefeated the whole season,” Bean said. “I won the championship title. Everything worked out.”
Before the championship match, KMC coach, Tim Dryden, gave Bean a word of advice, telling him to go out and wrestle like he had been all year.
“He told me if I kept up what I had been doing for the rest of the season, then I’d be able to take care of business,” Bean said.
His competitor was Cash Drylie from Hays High School. In the beginning, Bean said, he underestimated him.
“He came out with a faster pace than I expected,” Bean said. “I adjusted quick and was able to dictate the pace of the match.”
Bean’s advantages of flexibility and quickness helped him pin his opponent with nearly five seconds left in the first period.
“I keep moving on my feet,” Bean said. “I’d say that’s the hardest thing for [my opponent] to adjust to.”
One of Bean’s favorite memories from this year’s wrestling season is pinning his way through to the championship, however, he also very much enjoyed the coaches, he said.
“Wrestling this year was a lot of fun,” Bean said. “Because we got to spend a lot of time with the coaches.”
Bean thus far has no set college plans, but he has received offers to pursue wrestling in college.
“I have a few visits lined up for wrestling,” Bean said. “I will decide once I get back from Senior Nationals which is coming up at the end of March.”
