The 2025 wrestling season commenced with excitement as students from Iola and Humboldt Middle Schools competed in the annual Burlington Middle School Cat Classic on March 5, 2025. This event marked the 25th edition of the tournament, showcasing the talents of local young athletes.
A number of wrestlers from the region secured medals, highlighting their competitive spirit. For Iola, Axtin Christensen, competing in the 237 lbs. category, claimed first place, while teammate Milo Franklin took second in the 134 lbs. division. Their performances set a promising tone for the season ahead.
From Humboldt, Orval LeClair made his debut in the heavyweight division, which spans from 275 to 293 lbs., finishing in third place. Additionally, Daegan Rodriguez, wrestling at 187 lbs., also earned a third-place medal, showcasing his resilience and determination.
Christensen’s path to victory included a decisive 3-0 decision over his teammate Gabe Klubek, followed by a 5-0 win against another teammate, Jaxon Bernstein. Bernstein ultimately finished second after defeating Klubek with a 3-0 score. Franklin faced a challenging match against Carson Slayman of Osawatomie, suffering a 14-0 technical fall loss before bouncing back to secure a win over Wesley Cowen of Uniontown.
Rodriguez also faced adversity in his matches. He experienced an 11-0 technical fall defeat by Jett Campbell of Wellsville and later lost 3-0 to Blaine Hathaway of Uniontown. However, he demonstrated his skill and tenacity by finishing the competition with a strong 13-4 victory against Luke Turner from Bluestem.
The Burlington Cat Classic not only served as a platform for local talents to showcase their abilities but also fostered camaraderie among the participating schools. As the season progresses, the athletes from Iola and Humboldt Middle Schools look forward to building on their experiences and striving for success in upcoming matches.
