Colby Duo Claims GWAC Gold as Wark, Salcido Shine in Ulysses
February 6, 2026
The Colby High School boys wrestling team turned in a strong, well-rounded performance on February 6 as they traveled to Ulysses for the Greater Western Activities Conference League Tournament, battling through a deep and competitive field to finish fourth overall as a team with 100.5 points. Colby finished just fractions out of third in a tightly packed standings race that saw Scott City claim the league title, followed by Hugoton and host Ulysses.
While Colby was missing two key varsity wrestlers in Ryder Dempewolf and McCager Wright due to injury, but the rest of the squad showed up to grind. Leading the way for the Eagles were two conference champions, as Talon Wark and Julian Salcido each captured first-place finishes to headline the day for Colby.
At 132 pounds, Wark delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament. He went unbeaten on the day, scoring bonus points in every match and racking up four consecutive pins on his way to the conference crown. Wark opened with a first-round fall over Ulysses before continuing his tear through the bracket with pins against Goodland, Hugoton, and Scott City opponents. His championship run showcased aggressive offense from the opening whistle, with quick takedowns and relentless pressure that kept opponents on the defensive throughout the day.
Salcido was equally impressive at 113 pounds, putting together a technically sharp tournament to earn his first-place finish. Salcido advanced through the bracket with a pair of technical falls before securing a fall in the semifinals, setting up a championship bout against Hugoton’s Isaiah Peachey. In the finals, Salcido controlled the pace of the match, earning key takedowns and escapes in each period to secure a 7-3 decision and the conference title. His ability to dictate position and capitalize on scoring opportunities proved decisive against a tough league opponent.
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Beyond the two champions, Colby received important contributions up and down the lineup. At 106 pounds, Laken Sharpe battled back after an early setback to place third, collecting multiple falls and a major decision to score valuable team points. Nathan Schroeder added a fourth-place finish at 138 pounds, advancing to the championship side of the bracket and competing deep into the medal rounds against strong league competition.
Pierce Bartlett continued his steady season at 144 pounds with a third-place finish, responding well after a first-round loss and earning both a fall and a technical fall to climb the podium. Eric Schroeder also placed fourth at 150 pounds, navigating a challenging bracket that included several state-level contenders.
In the upper weights, Vance Dempewolf showed resilience at 157 pounds, rebounding through the consolation bracket to secure fifth place with a pair of bonus-point victories. Boston Woofter delivered a strong effort at 175 pounds, earning third place with two falls and pushing through a demanding stretch of matches. Laken Lindberg capped the day at 190 pounds with a third-place finish as well, collecting multiple pins and adding double-digit team points.
Ethan Reinert rounded out the Colby lineup at 126 pounds, gaining additional varsity experience in a deep weight class and continuing to build toward the postseason.
As a team, Colby’s fourth-place finish reflected both top-end excellence and solid depth across the roster, with multiple podium finishes and consistent scoring throughout the day. With the postseason approaching, the Eagles’ performance at the GWAC League Tournament provided a strong measuring stick against familiar rivals and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.