Dempewolf Wins State Title as Eagles Place Three at 4A State Wrestling Tournament
February 27, 2026
The Colby High School Eagles capped their season on the state’s biggest stage, sending six wrestlers to compete at the Kansas State High School Activities Association 4A State Wrestling Championships held February 27–28 at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center in Salina. Facing the best wrestlers from across Kansas, Colby finished eighth in the team standings with 64 points, placing among the top programs in the classification.
Leading the Eagles was senior Ryder Dempewolf at 120 pounds, he came into the tournament as a two-time state champion and three time qualifier who captured his final state championship in dominant fashion. Dempewolf opened the tournament with a first-period fall over Mario Zacarias of Parsons before pinning Augusta’s Cannon Terry in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals he earned a technical fall against Sawyer Blue of Paola, advancing to the championship match where he secured the title with an 11–3 major decision over James Bilby of Rose Hill. Dempewolf’s performance accounted for 28.5 team points and added another milestone to an already remarkable career.
Head coach Cole Garcia praised Dempewolf’s work ethic and leadership throughout his career.
“I was just lucky enough to be there while he was an athlete at Colby High School,” Garcia said. “He needed very little guidance. I was there to help him whenever he needed it, but that kid is so self-determined and so self-reliant and such a great humble kid he makes it easy. He makes me look good by the work he put in. It was one of the best high school careers in Colby High School history. He only lost one match at the state tournament in four years, so that’s pretty incredible.”
Another standout performance came from sophomore Julian Salcido at 113 pounds, who battled his way to a fourth-place finish. Salcido opened the tournament with a technical fall over Topeka-Hayden’s Jeremiah Lopez before defeating Isaiah Peachey of Hugoton 4–2 in the quarterfinals. After a narrow 5–4 semifinal loss to Tonganoxie’s Brodie Starcher, Salcido fought back through the consolation bracket with a 4–2 win over Clay Center’s Blaize Charbonneau to secure a place in the medal round. He ultimately finished fourth, contributing 13.5 points to the Eagles’ team total.
Two Colby seniors also finished their high school careers on the podium. At 132 pounds, Talon Wark placed sixth after battling through the consolation bracket with a pair of technical fall victories over Louisburg’s Myke McKitrick and Burlington’s Tate Stahl.
At 150 pounds, Eric Schroeder secured a fifth-place finish after a strong run through the consolation side of the bracket. Schroeder earned key wins over Chapman’s Audiel Becker and Marysville’s Keagan Warders before defeating Chase Pelt of Columbus 8–7 in the fifth-place match to bring home a state medal.
Garcia noted that both seniors achieved the goal they set heading into the weekend.
“Both of them wrestled hard,” Garcia said. “Their goal was to get a medal and they accomplished that. It was a good end to two really great careers for those guys.”
Colby also gained valuable experience from two younger wrestlers competing in their first state tournament. Freshman Laken Sharpe, wrestling at 106 pounds, earned a victory in the consolation round with a pin over Clearwater’s Connor Stricklin before finishing the tournament with three team points.
At 126 pounds, freshman Ethan Reinert battled through a difficult bracket against experienced competition. Although he did not reach the podium, Garcia said the experience of competing at the state level will benefit him moving forward.
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“We got our young guys some good experience,” Garcia said. “The two freshmen went there and Laken Sharpe got a win which is great. Ethan had a little rougher go but he wrestled well at regionals to get himself in a good position, and it’s just kind of a tough tournament.”
With one state champion, three medalists, and six qualifiers competing on the sport’s biggest stage, the Eagles closed the season with a strong showing while also building momentum for the future of the Colby wrestling program.