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By ARNE GREEN

Salina Journal

HAYS -- Brock Long won't go so far as to call it the driving force behind his senior wrestling season at Southeast of Saline, but he admits the memory still lingers.

A 2-1 loss to Norton's Spencer Shirk in last year's Class 3-2-1A 171-pound final might just give him the extra edge he needs heading into his final state tournament.

"Last year is one of those things that you have to let go of and get ready for this year, but if I didn't make the finals and get second last year, I probably wouldn't be as determined," said Long, who will take a 28-1 record in the 182-pound division into today's opening round at Gross Memorial Coliseum. "I was one point away from it last year, and it kind of pushed me.

"I hope this is the year I get that state title."

Long is one of four Southeast wrestlers to qualify for the state tournament, which goes up through the championship semifinals today, followed by consolation rounds and the championship Friday. Sacred Heart's Nick Wuthnow, who works with the Trojans in a cooperative agreement, also will compete.

Long, who is ranked second in the state at 182, and 126-pound junior Cory Knight both won regional titles last week at Russell, while senior 285-pounder Kyler Besher was second and sophomore 120-pounder Jim Weller took fourth.

Wuthnow, who placed fifth as a freshman last year at 152, also was a regional champ and is ranked third at 160 with a 35-1 mark.

"I know those guys will be distraught if they come home with anything less than first," Southeast coach Travis Morris said.

If he reaches the finals, Long likely will face a stiff challenge against No. 1-ranked Tyler Lowe of Eureka, who handed him his only loss at the Minneapolis tournament.

Wuthnow also suffered his only setback at Minneapolis, to Ellis' Riley Hunsicker, who has since moved up to 170 pounds. Wuthnow just reappeared in the rankings at No. 3 this week after handily beating Jesse Nelsen of Marysville, 14-3, in the regional finals.

"That kind of motivated me," he said of the earlier rankings snub. "It gave me something, to fight for respect.

"I think I have some pretty good momentum."

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