by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Aaron Fair, a Wellington High School senior, who has been ranked at 195 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association for much of the season, has a significant tear in his ACL and is out for the season.

This came on the heals of his second place finish in the Clearwater tournament on Saturday.

Aaron Fair

Wellington head coach Mitch McComb said Fair was wrestling D.J. Kessler of Independence in the 195 pound championship finals and was tied 5-5 in the third period. He was in the down position and got his foot caught underneath. His knee twisted and the ACL tore.  This was the same knee that Fair injured as a freshman.

The injury is a huge blow to the WHS wrestling program which hasn’t had much luck this season. Fair had a 17-4 record and was one of the grapplers expected to make the Class 4A State Tournament in Salina.

And if that wasn’t enough, Jace Lowe at heavyweight also suffered a deep shin bruise and may be out for a significant amount of time.

While the injuries continue to mount, the wrestling program continues to wait for Andrew Pelkey’s reemergence who is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered in football. McComb said he won’t return until probably the Class 4A Regional in Pratt.

“I have never seen anything like it in my nine years as a coach with the program,” McComb said.

As far as the Clearwater tournament was concerned McComb said it was an unimpressive performance by the Dukes.

Graysen DeJarnett, returned from injury, and wrestled at 145 pounds. He went 0-2.

Zach Bodkins returned at 160 and finished 0-2.

Skyler Brand was the only other wrestler to place in Clearwater. He finished second at 225 pounds.  Smoky Valley won the 14-team tournament.

Wellington will travel to Andale Thursday for a key Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div. IV double dual.

The following are the Clearwater tournament results and season records as gathered by Steve Sturgis.

145 lbs. – Graysen DeJarnett / 0-2 (10-8)

152 lbs. – Skyler Struble / 0-2 (7-11)

160 lbs. – Zach Bodkins / 0-2 (6-6)

170 lbs. – Vincent Ast / 1-2 (14-11)

182 lbs. – Joey Hayden / 2-2 (14-11)

195 lbs. – Aaron Fair / 2-1 (Finished 2nd) (17-4)

220 lbs. – Skylar Brand / 2-1 (Finished 2nd) (17-5)

285 lbs. – Jace Lowe / 0-2 (3-5)

Here’s the season totals for the JV to date:

Daniel Schmidt 3-3
Andrew Wolf  5-2
Blake Bales  2-12
Kaden Heacock  6-4
Admad Mohammed 7-3
Chandler Hain  5-5
Aaron Schoemann  14-5
Brad McBath 7-5
Ian Groom 8-1
Gabe Smith 11-1  (Now has a broken leg)
Matt McComb 4-5

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