23 February 2024
DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas State High Schools Activities Association wrestling tournament began Thursday. Derby High School has 10 boys and five girls competing in the competition.
The Panthers are fighting for both teams to finish high in the team standings.
“I think that we have a shot at both boys and girls being a top five programs at the beginning of the year. That was our goal is to both be top five. So that’s the goal. And, you know, we put ourselves in an opportunity to accomplish it. Now we’ve just got to go, go see what we can do,” said Derby boys and girls wrestling coach Kelly Heincker.
The teams are led by many talented athletes. On the girl’s side, one standout is two-time state champion, Amara Esha.
“Going into state this year, we were really wanting to get a trophy,” said Esha, “We’re super motivated. Like I said, the girls we have, they’re really quality. One girl is undefeated. Another one only has one loss.”
The senior has been a valuable asset to growing the girls’ program.
“She’s kind of the rock of the girl’s team. She’s been here since we had three girls and grown up to have 30 girls. So I think she’s got a lot of pride in the entire team, and they’ve got a lot of pride in her,” explained Heincker.
The boy’s team is well-established. They head into the tournament as the defending 6A State Champion. Even though many of their wrestlers graduated, this year’s class has stepped up to the challenge.
“I think we’ve really shown that we’re a great team. We have a lot of toughness, a lot of tough guys in the room. We’re more so a fighter type,” said Senior Diego Gauna.
Gauna is a two-time state tournament qualifier and took fourth place two seasons ago. He is looking to top the podium in his final season.
“His mentality and his approach this year has been one of the most professional on the team. He’s come in every single day, been a leader, and since the day after state last year, he’s been working towards this year, and I think he feels like he’s got a shot as much a shot as anybody have going on winning a state title,” said Heincker.
“I think it would be a great, great thing for me. I mean, I got a little brother in the room, too, so showing him that I could do it gives him the power to show that he can do it, too,” added Gauna.
Both Esha and Gauna are leading the way for the Panthers to continue their winning culture.
“We’ve been 19 years in the top five for boys, trying to make it 20 years in a row. And not a lot of teams can say that they’ve been that consistent over that amount of time,” said Heincker, “Our girls’ program is emerging, you know, we’re still growing it. But they’re so excited to start their own chapter, you know, getting into the top five for the first time from their perspective would be the start of a streak like that.”
The teams are looking for a dominant finish to the season.