Carthage hosted Kickapoo and Lebanon for the Alumni night dual last Thursday night. Kickapoo and Lebanon boys wrestled first, with Kickapoo beating Lebanon 46-34. Each of the boys teams finished the night with one win and one loss.
The Tigers also took time to recognize Carthage Wrestling alumni, presenting a legacy letter to 9 individuals. A legacy letter is a chance for a previous wrestler to share their own wrestling experience in order to pass on a tradition of learning and growth. It allows our current wrestlers to hear from those who have finished wrestling and to learn their lessons together. Coach Kelly is encouraging all alumni to fill out the form to create their own legacy letter to share with the team. The following alumni were presented letters:
Christian Brown, wrestler 2018-2022
Coach Kenny Brown, head coach 2003-2023
Maylee Brown, wrestler 2023-2025
Coach Bob Holman, head coach 1991-2002
Gabe Lambeth, wrestler 2019-2023
Edxel Morales, wrestler 2012-2016, assistant coach 2023-2025
Grey Petticrew, wrestler 2019-2023
Bradyn Tate, wrestler 2020-2024
Larry Swinehart, wrestler 2008-2012
The Carthage boys suffered a tough loss to the Lebanon Yellowjackets, 47-23, but had some key head to head matchups. Javi Perez Merida started the team off with a major decision over Lebanon’s Ayden Hicks at 113 lbs., but the team was not rewarded with another direct win until Lenny Escobar posted his own major decision at 165 lbs. Steve Serious recorded a decision at 190 and Randy Teo Monzon got the fall at 106 lbs., but the Yellowjackets came away with three falls and four technical falls to help compile a score too difficult to overcome. Lebanon’s junior varsity team encountered much the same fate, winning only two of the nine matches on the evening, with wins by Adam Jones at 126 lbs. and Alex Alvarado at 157 lbs.
Kickapoo/Lebanon Duals
January 20, 2026
Lebanon – Varsity Boys Loss 23-47
113: Javi Perez Merida (CARTHAGE) over Ayden Hicks (LEBANON) (MD 13-5)
120: Kaleb Branch (LEBANON) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
126: Joseph Garner (LEBANON) over Denis Velasquez (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:10)
132: Kaden Branch (LEBANON) over Mason Artym (CARTHAGE) (TF 15-0 3:49)
138: Memphis Harmon (LEBANON) over Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) (Dec 13-11)
144: Gage Starnes (LEBANON) over Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) (TF 15-0 5:12)
150: Brayden O`Shea (LEBANON) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 3:16)
157: Brett Gard (LEBANON) over Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) (TF 17-2 5:55)
165: Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) over Elijah Hutson (LEBANON) (MD 12-0)
175: Cameron Rose (LEBANON) over Joshua Hill (CARTHAGE) (TF 22-6 5:25)
190: Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) over Davin Admire (LEBANON) (Dec 11-7)
215: Blake Lively (LEBANON) over Gilmer Alvarado (CARTHAGE) (Fall 2:31)
285: Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) over (LEBANON) (For.)
106: Randy Teo Monzon (CARTHAGE) over Sean Gibson (LEBANON) (Fall 1:46)
Lebanon – JV Boys
126: Adam Jones (Carthage) over Zachary O`Shea (Lebanon) (TF 16-0 3:47)
126: Carter Cornelison (Lebanon) over Asher Haslip (Carthage) (MD 13-5)
132: Clayton Simmonds (Lebanon) over Isai Garza (Carthage) (Fall 1:01)
138: Anthony Thomas (Lebanon) over Erwin Paxtor (Carthage) (TF 19-3 2:26)
157: Jackson Goemaat (Lebanon) over Brayan Perez Flores (Carthage) (Fall 3:09)
157: Alex Alvarado (Carthage) over Dempsey Schmitt (Lebanon) (Fall 0:27)
175: Cameryn Meiners (Lebanon) over Bradley Guzman (Carthage) (Fall 4:50)
190: Isaac Knight (Lebanon) over Anthony Smith (Carthage) (Fall 1:43)
215: Harrison Schmitt (Lebanon) over Samuel Soto Lopez (Carthage) (Fall 0:24)
The men pulled out a squeaker against Kickapoo that came down to the last match of the evening when they won over the Chiefs 39-38. Key wins came from Jace Nichols at 144 lbs. with the technical fall over Jaiden Tipton, Kayden Hole with a pin over Angel Hernandez at 157, Lenny Escobar’s major decision over Adam Tofflemire at 165, and Joshua Hill (175) and Dom Kanas’ (285) pins. Carthage jv posted wins in six of nine matches, all of them pins by Adam Jones, Asher Haslip, Erwin Paxtor, Erick Mejia Castro, Samuel Soto Lopez and Leighton Butterworth.
The ladies were able to get some mat time against Kickapoo, despite the small number of head to head matches. Hadley White (105) and Emely Hernandez Garcia (130) both recorded falls, while the rest of the wins came from Kickapoo forfeits,
Kickapoo – Varsity Boys win 39-38
120: Levi Stewart (KICKAPOO) over Javi Perez Merida (CARTHAGE) (TF 16-0 2:18)
126: Evan Lerche (KICKAPOO) over Denis Velasquez (CARTHAGE) (MD 17-3)
132: Mason Artym (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
138: Joseph Woodard (KICKAPOO) over Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) (TF 17-1 2:15)
144: Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) over Jaiden Tipton (KICKAPOO) (TF 22-4 4:19)
150: Jahan Huynh (KICKAPOO) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:19)
157: Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) over Angel Hernandez (KICKAPOO) (Fall 1:36)
165: Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) over Andrew Tofflemire (KICKAPOO) (MD 18-4)
175: Joshua Hill (CARTHAGE) over Jariah Hicks (KICKAPOO) (Fall 4:00)
190: Owen Benson (KICKAPOO) over Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:44)
215: Gilmer Alvarado (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
285: Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) over Kameron Hayes (KICKAPOO) (Fall 1:44)
106: Preston Ingram (KICKAPOO) over Randy Teo Monzon (CARTHAGE) (Fall 5:14)
113: Garrett Cookman (KICKAPOO) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
Kickapoo – JV Boys
126: Adam Jones (Carthage) over William Welch (Kickapoo) (Fall 1:12)
132: Asher Haslip (Carthage) over Owen Stevenson (Kickapoo) (Fall 2:47)
132: Dominque Jasick (Kickapoo) over Isai Garza (Carthage) (Fall 2:29)
138: Erwin Paxtor (Carthage) over Keaton Richmond (Kickapoo) (Fall 1:09)
150: Erick Mejia Castro (Carthage) over Adam Goris (Kickapoo) (Fall 0:33)
175: Russell Penkalski (Kickapoo) over Bradley Guzman (Carthage) (Fall 2:57)
190: Washington Ramelo (Kickapoo) over Anthony Smith (Carthage) (Fall 0:18)
215: Samuel Soto Lopez (Carthage) over Griffin Brown (Kickapoo) (TF 21-5 5:11)
106: Leighton Butterworth (Carthage) over Nathan Stanley (Kickapoo) (TF 16-0 5:24)
Kickapoo – Varsity Girls Win 60-24
100: Laney Daniel (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
105: Hadley White (CARTHAGE) over Gianna Garcia (KICKAPOO) (Fall 1:58)
110: Hannah Herrera (KICKAPOO) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
115: Ari Morga Zaldivar (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
120: Zeilah Cifuentes (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
125: Taleah Salguero (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
130: Emely Hernandez Guzman (CARTHAGE) over Kaylin Samuel (KICKAPOO) (Fall 1:41)
135: Arianna Harris (KICKAPOO) over Aubrey Jewett (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:12)
140: Kaylee James (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
145: Irish Lee (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
155: Adrianna Patrick (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
170: Kaniylah Bluford (KICKAPOO) over Auri Reyes (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:24)
190: Kyra Samuel (KICKAPOO) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
235: Yaneli Hernandez Juarez (CARTHAGE) over (KICKAPOO) (For.)
Carthage boys were able to squeeze in the Platte County tournament on Friday before the snow hit, giving them a chance to take part in a few matches leading up to districts in a few weeks. Coach Nate Kelly notes that this weekend was the perfect time to reflect on their team creed, which includes the idea of being “grateful for the opportunity to compete.” Although the tournament was pared down, it was still an opportunity for growth, as noted by one of the officials at the tournament to the coaching staff. Randy Teo, Jace Nichols and Lenny Escobar all brought home medals for third, second and second place, respectively.
Boys @ Platte County Tournament
January 23, 2026
8th Place
Medalists:
Randy Teo – 3rd
Jace Nichols – 2nd
Lenny Escobar – 2nd
106
Randy Teo Monzon (7-5) placed 3rd and scored 17.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 7-5 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 7-5 won by fall over Aidan Bowles (St James) 7-9 (Fall 2:44)
Semifinal – Kale Martin (Oak Grove) 25-0 won by tech fall over Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 7-5 (TF-1.5 5:14 (16-0))
3rd Place Match – Randy Teo Monzon (Carthage) 7-5 won by fall over Lennon Fitzpartick (Platte County) 7-14 (Fall 2:47)
113
Javi Perez Merida (9-12) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Edwin Jara Escalante (Belton) 9-24 won by tech fall over Javi Perez Merida (Carthage) 9-12 (TF-1.5 4:35 (19-4))
126
Adam Jones (20-13) placed 5th and scored 12.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Adam Jones (Carthage) 20-13 won by decision over Liam Franksen (Platte County) 8-10 (Dec 8-3)
Quarterfinal – Alex Ramos (Olathe North) 23-6 won by fall over Adam Jones (Carthage) 20-13 (Fall 3:07)
Cons. Round 2 – Adam Jones (Carthage) 20-13 won by fall over Logan Hopper (Smithville) 5-16 (Fall 4:20)
5th Place Match – Adam Jones (Carthage) 20-13 won by fall over Tyler Hecker (Mid-Buchanan) 16-9 (Fall 2:03)
132
Mason Artym (10-12) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jackson Lane (Smithville) 6-19 won by decision over Mason Artym (Carthage) 10-12 (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 1 – Mason Artym (Carthage) 10-12 received a bye () (Bye)
Cons. Round 2 – Mason Artym (Carthage) 10-12 received a bye () (Bye)
Consolation 1st – Dustin Lor (Oak Grove) 14-5 won by decision over Mason Artym (Carthage) 10-12 (Dec 8-1)
138
Douglas Ball (18-13) place is unknown and scored 3.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Douglas Ball (Carthage) 18-13 won by tech fall over David Frazier (William Chrisman) 3-8 (TF-1.5 3:53 (17-2))
Quarterfinal – Presley Hartwig (St Michael) 8-5 won by tech fall over Douglas Ball (Carthage) 18-13 (TF-1.5 4:27 (19-3))
Cons. Round 2 – Cooper Heitman (Smithville) 13-15 won by decision over Douglas Ball (Carthage) 18-13 (Dec 8-4)
144
Jace Nichols (25-11) placed 2nd and scored 20.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Jace Nichols (Carthage) 25-11 won by tech fall over Chaston King (Olathe North) 9-7 (TF-1.5 4:00 (16-0))
Quarterfinal – Jace Nichols (Carthage) 25-11 won by major decision over Ethan Phelps (Oak Grove) 18-9 (MD 13-0)
Semifinal – Jace Nichols (Carthage) 25-11 won by decision over Gus French (Mid-Buchanan) 14-12 (Dec 4-3)
1st Place Match – Austin Stevick (St Michael) 12-3 won by tech fall over Jace Nichols (Carthage) 25-11 (TF-1.5 2:48 (17-2))
150
Dylan (Michael) Evans (7-17) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Kale Smithee (Smithville) 3-7 won by decision over Dylan (Michael) Evans (Carthage) 7-17 (Dec 8-2)
Cons. Round 1 – Dylan (Michael) Evans (Carthage) 7-17 won by fall over Brady McDaniel (Platte County JV) 2-11 (Fall 3:00)
Cons. Round 2 – Dylan Spaeth (St James) 13-15 won by major decision over Dylan (Michael) Evans (Carthage) 7-17 (MD 14-2)
157
Kayden Hole (14-19) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Cannon Klukvin (Olathe Northwest) 30-8 won by tech fall over Kayden Hole (Carthage) 14-19 (TF-1.5 5:11 (15-0))
Cons. Round 1 – Kayden Hole (Carthage) 14-19 won by fall over Michael Heath (Mid-Buchanan) 0-5 (Fall 1:29)
165
Lenny Escobar (17-8) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 17-8 won by fall over Dylan Cox (Van Horn) 11-23 (Fall 1:14)
Quarterfinal – Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 17-8 won by decision over Everett Hargis (Oak Grove) 18-13 (Dec 11-4)
Semifinal – Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 17-8 won by decision over Ashton Kieth (Olathe North) 23-9 (Dec 4-3)
1st Place Match – Jack Johnson (Platte County) 17-3 won by medical forfeit over Lenny Escobar (Carthage) 17-8 (M. For.)
175
Joshua Hill (1-8) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Joshua Hill (Carthage) 1-8 won by fall over Da`Marion Frazier (Van Horn) 6-11 (Fall 4:41)
Quarterfinal – Tristan Waters (Smithville) 34-2 won by fall over Joshua Hill (Carthage) 1-8 (Fall 0:33)
Cons. Round 2 – Galen Christiansen (Mid-Buchanan) 21-7 won by tech fall over Joshua Hill (Carthage) 1-8 (TF-1.5 2:48 (15-0))
190
Steve Serious (21-9) placed 6th and scored 8.0 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Steve Serious (Carthage) 21-9 received a bye () (Bye)
Quarterfinal – Jared Meineker (Belton) 21-6 won by decision over Steve Serious (Carthage) 21-9 (Dec 1-0)
Cons. Round 2 – Steve Serious (Carthage) 21-9 won by fall over Landry Hays (Excelsior Springs) 11-17 (Fall 0:27)
5th Place Match – Heston Stockbauer (Mid-Buchanan) 21-5 won by fall over Steve Serious (Carthage) 21-9 (Fall 4:40)
