Two top wrestlers out due to injuries

Two of the section’s top state medal contenders — 112-pounder Stevan Knoblauch of Clovis West and 285-pounder Kyle Papendorf of Buchanan — saw their seasons end before divisionals because of injuries.

Knoblauch, the reigning state runner-up at 103 pounds, suffered an elbow injury around midseason that got worse as the year progressed. Knoblauch, a junior, had to injury default to Clovis East’s Justin Jauregui in the Tri-River Athletic Conference finals and was unable to compete at Divisionals.

Papendorf’s knee never healed enough for him to get back on the mat after injuring it Jan. 13 in a TRAC dual against Madera. Papendorf, who has a football scholarship to Nevada, placed fourth at the state meet last year as a junior.

By Nick Giannandrea / The Fresno Bee