Yellowjackets split district duals; Cushing advances

Kingfisher’s bid to advance to dual state fell short on Thursday.

The Yellowjackets were 2-2 in the District 4A-2 duals held at Harrah High School.

They defeated Tecumseh 51-24 and Perkins-Tryon 67-12.

Losses came at the hands of Harrah by a 5224 margin and then 78-4 to Cushing.

“I knew they were good, but they were even better than I thought seeing them in person,” said KHS coach Steven Wilson of the fourth-ranked Cushing Tigers, who went on to win all their duals and advance to dual state.

Harrah is ranked 13th in 4A.

“That dual was probably closer than the score would suggest,” Wilson said of the loss to the hosts. “But we had two big losses that affected us and it went downhill from there.”

Kingfisher was without 215-pounder Robert Barnett, who broke his tibia during the conference tournament two weekends ago.

“Not having him hurt us,” Wilson said.

Still, he said junior Landon Schroeder stepped up and wrestled well in Barnett’s absence.

“He won a couple of big matches for us,” he said.

Wilson said Barnett hopes to return for regionals, which will be Feb. 16-17.

Senior Gant Browning won all four of his matches on the day and Wilson also applauded the efforts of fellow senior Damien Haynes.

The Jackets wrestled this weekend in the Hub City Classic in Clinton.