BHS wrestlers fashion highlights in December
Bartlesville High School’s Avery Hitchings wins during a home dual in November 2024.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
A strong showing at the Kan-Okla (Caney, Kan.) Tournament provided some of the brightest hopes of the Bartlesville prep wrestling teams in December.
James Coleman captured the 113-pound championship on the varsity level, while A.J. Kerr and Avery Hitchings both finished in the top three in the 138-pound and heavyweight divisions, respectfully.
In addition, 126-pound Joshua Vashus surged to a 3-0 record in the junior varsity division at the Kan-Okla.
Other Bruins matters that stood out in December included:
— Jon Ramirez (190 pounds), who powered to a 3-2 record at the Ray Nunneley Memorial Tournament (Tulsa Edison).
— Marquise Johnson (150 pounds), who pinned his way to the championship match at the Nunneley competition. Johnson lost only to the No. 2 ranked Class 5A grappler in the state.
Bartlesville won a dual match against the Oklahoma School of the Blind, 70-0.
First-year Bruin head coach Bryan Vashus is pleased with the dedication of many of his athletes.
“I’m pretty happy, just in general, with the overall work ethic,” he said. “They’ve been buying into what I’ve been preaching on improvement and getting better. We’re going to learn a lot more where we’re at are in January. … We need to get some more competition. We want feedback so we can continue to work on things.”
Coach Vashus appreciated the number of wrestlers who participated in workouts during the holiday break.
He noted Kerr recorded a 5-1 record in December.
Ramirez “is definitely hungry,” Vashus continued. “He’s in a zone right now.”