Wrestling | 11/7/2024 11:38:00 AM

The Cloud County Community College wrestling team is ranked No. 11 in the 2024-2025 NJCAA Wrestling Preseason Poll. Under the leadership of Julian Smith in his fourth season, the T-Birds have three wrestlers ranked in the top eight of their various weight classes.

Sophomore Easton Boone, a national tournament qualifier last year, is ranked No. 2 at 165 lbs. in the preseason individual rankings. Boone, a native of Valley Center, Kansas, placed sixth overall in the 174 lbs. bracket at the Rochester Community and Technical College Yellowjacket Open in Rochester, Minnesota on November 2. After receiving a first round bye, Boone won a 5-2 decision over Mack Piehl of Harper Community College. Boone then lost a 5-3 decision to Mason Buss of Southwest State, before bouncing back in the consolation side of the bracket to claim a sudden victory over Kash Macumber of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Boone earned a 4-1 decision over Brandon Meister of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire to move to the fifth place match. Boone battled Sedee AlObaidi of Wisconsin-La Crosse and fell in a 7-0 decision.

Sophomore Macallistair Chambers, another returning national tournament qualifier, is ranked No. 6 at 174 lbs. in the preseason individual rankings. Chambers, a native of Salina, Kansas, went 4-1 and took third overall in the 174 lbs. weight class at the RCTC Yellowjacket Open. Chambers opened the tournament with a second period fall over Dalton Simmons of Harper Community College. In the second round, Chambers won in sudden victory over Noah Jensen of Southwest State. Chambers then won by a 4-2 decision over Jack Gillis of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the championship quarterfinals. Chambers' only loss came in the semifinals when he met Owen Wasley of Augustana. Wasley earned a win by a 6-1 decision. Chambers then battled back in the third place match, edging out a 4-3 decision of Mason Buss of Southwest State.

Sophomore Darian "D.J." Gillins, a native of Lakeland, Florida, is ranked No. 5 at 197 lbs. in the preseason individual rankings. Gillins did not compete in the RCTC Yellowjacket Open last weekend. A year ago, Gillins qualified for the 2024 NJCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships. Gillins went 2-2 at the event, with both wins by decision.

The T-Bird wrestling team will return to action Friday, November 8 when they compete in the second ever Loosbrock Duals hosted by Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Matches begin at 9 am.

The following day, the T-Birds will also take part in the Benedictine Service Salute in Atchison, beginning at 9 am.