Wrestling | 11/7/2026 3:55:00 PM
The Cloud County Community College wrestling team will kick off the 2026-2027 season on the road this Sunday, November 8 when the T-Birds travel to Baldwin City, Kansas for the 18th Annual Dan Harris Open. Matches begin at 9 am.
The T-Birds are starting a new era under first-year head coach Zach Ferris. Ferris, the school's first two-time wrestling All-American, joined Cloud County in March 2026. Ferris, originally from Chapman, Kansas, competed at Cloud County from 2020-2022. Ferris went undefeated during his freshman season on his way to winning the 2021 NJCAA national championship at 197 lbs. The following year, Ferris finished third at 197 lbs. at the NJCAA National Championships.
During his two years as a T-Bird, Ferris posted an overall record of 40-6 and established school records for national tournament wins (nine) and career win percentage (.869), while finishing tied for second place in career pins. He was inducted into the Cloud County Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.
Cloud County will spend several weeks on the road to open the 2026 season. The T-Birds open with three weeks of tournament action prior to a tri-dual in Sterling, Colorado against Northeastern Junior College and the Colorado State University Club Team on December 2.
The T-Birds will conclude the first semester at the Bob Smith Open in Hays, Kansas on December 6, before returning from the holiday break at the 2027 NJCAA Coaches Association Duals in Miami, Oklahoma on January 8.
The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) dual slate begins with road duals at Barton on January 14 and Colby on January 21.
Cloud County finally makes its home debut in Arley Bryant Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 26, hosting Fort Hays Tech Northwest and Southeast Community College in a tri-dual.
Cloud County returns two starters in
Dionisio Holguin (197 lbs.) and
Tyler Pankey (197 lbs.), while coach Ferris welcomes a talented 12-man freshman class to Concordia this fall.
The Dan Harris Open will be held at the George F. Collins Jr. Sports And Convention Center on the campus of Baker University. The tournament is named after Dan Harris, Baker's first head wrestling coach and former Athletic Director.
