BonnerSprings.com

The Bonner Springs Braves wrestling team had a terrific championship round at the Dick Burns Mat Classic Saturday night, but Bellevue East (Neb.) wouldn't let them walk away with the runner-up plaque. The two schools kept exchanging leads until Bellevue sealed the deal with a victory in the 215-pound weight class, finishing ahead of the Braves 140.5 to 137.

Paola, defending 5A state champions, won the tournament for the second consecutive year with 182.5 points. Basehor-Linwood was fourth with 113. In total, 10 teams competed in what turned out to be a great tournament.

It was only fitting that hall-of-fame coach Dick Burns, former coach Tim McGinnis and several Braves alumni wrestlers were on hand for the finals to witness Bonner Springs win five of seven matches. The championship round performance was reminiscent of days when the Braves were dominant year in and year out.

"We are starting to battle like some of the teams of old," said coach Dan Burns. "We are starting to develop some toughness and showing signs of being physical, traits that have helped build the Bonner Springs wrestling tradition."

First-place finisher Eric Ratliff was flawless en route to his championship performance. In fact, Ratliff never even had to wrestle past the first period as he recorded three first-period falls. In the championship finals, he pinned Shawnee Mission Northwest's Studie Red Corn in 1:37. The victories improved his season record to 9-1. In fact, the sophomore has now won nine consecutive matches.

"He is quietly having an exceptional year," Burns said. "Eric gets the job done and it doesn't matter who his opponent is. He really has a lot of confidence right now."

Shepherd, a junior, was equally impressive. After pinning Bishop Miege's Nick Kelly in just :27 seconds, Shepherd won a 17-2 technical fall over Basehor-Linwood's Billy Crum. In the championship finals, Shepherd pinned Paola's Steve Sullivan in 5:05. Shepherd trailed 5-2 heading into the third period before putting Sullivan away. Shepherd is now 12-2 on the season.

"He is kind of like an old model A. You've gotta give him a few cranks to get him going, but once he is started he runs like a scolded dog," Burns said. "He had a tremendous tournament."

Spencer Buck entered the tournament as the number four seed, but quickly proved he belonged in the finals. Buck pinned Bishop Miege's Dan Brodie in :33 and second seeded Jeff Lackner of Basehor-Linwood in 1:34. In the championship finals, Buck was pinned by Paola's Bobby Sylva in 3:13. Buck pinned Sylva earlier in the season.

Bass lost a heartbreaker in the finals, 12-9 to Paola's Steve Cullor. Bass had Cullor on his back for a three-point near fall and was on the verge of turning him to his back a second time before time expired. Bass pinned Harmon's Corey Smith in under a minute to advance to the championship finals.

Middleton was knocked to the consolation bracket when he was upset by Paola's Jackson Van Trece in the semifinals. Middleton pinned Van Trece earlier in the season, but Van Trece got revenge pinning him in just 27 seconds. Middleton won in the consolation semifinals with a first period pin before winning an 11-4 decision over Topeka Seaman's Greg Hanna in the consolation finals. Middleton, just a sophomore, improved his record to 15-2.

"Spencer had an outstanding tournament. It is tough to beat a good opponent twice," Burns said. "Bass and Middleton will have an opportunity for revenge later in the season and will come back with a vengeance."

Vandenberg was impressive in his third-place performance. His only loss occurred in the semifinals to eventual champion and undefeated Brian Strohm of Bishop Miege, 5-0. He pinned Topeka Seaman's Jake McKee in 1:09 in the consolation finals. After starting the season with a 2-5 record, Vandenberg has gone 8-1 in his last nine matches to improve to 10-6 overall.

"He has been wrestling well and with tremendous confidence," Burns said.

Border, the Braves lone senior participating in the tournament, also had an outstanding tournament. He pinned Bellevue East's Adam Brunner in the first period in the opening round and again in the consolation finals. Border lost in the semifinals to eventual champion Brede Cowen of Topeka Seaman.

"It really was nice to get some points from a senior wrestler because this was his last Dick Burns Mat Classic," said Burns. "It is good to see Nick score points."

"I'm happy with what we did, but we know we are capable of turning it up a few more notches," Burns said.

The Braves will participate in the Basehor-Linwood tournament Friday and Saturday. "We just want to continue to show improvement this weekend," Burns said. " We have had some high energy practices this week despite wrestling in a tough tournament last weekend. That shows the kind of work ethic these athletes have. We are not satisfiedwe expect to do better."

Team Results:

1. Paola, 182.5

2. Bellevue East, 140.5

3. Bonner Springs, 137

4. Basehor-Linwood, 113

5. Topeka Seaman, 110

6. SM Northwest, 69.5

7. Highland Park, 57

8. Blue Valley, 54.5

9. Bishop Miege, 44.5

10. JC Harmon, 43

Individual Results:

103 Eric Ratliff: 3-0, first place.

112 Myjestic Hickmon: 1-2.

119 Jess Buck: 1-2.

125 Matt Middleton: 3-1, third place.

130 Chad Vandenberg: 3-1, third place.

135 Donnie Shepherd: 3-0, first place.

140 Spencer Buck: 2-1, second place.

145 Nick Border: 2-1, third place

152 Chris Carpenter: 0-2.

160 Danny Gardner: 1-2.

189 Jeff Burns: 1-2.

215 David Bass: 2-1, second place

275 Terrel Matthews: 0-2.