By The Hays Daily News

A Hays High graduate broke historic ground this summer.

Cash Drylie picked up All-American honors in Greco-Roman wrestling at junior nationals in Fargo, N.D., and according to his coach, Bryce Bahe, he was the first person from Hays to accomplish that feat.

Drylie finished fourth at 195 pounds, going 6-2. It was a big improvement from last year when he went 0-2 at nationals.

Drylie said he couldn't believe what he had accomplished until he saw his completed bracket.

"When I saw the brackets, I was just shaking," he said.

He also qualified in freestyle wrestling at nationals but didn't earn All-American honors. Nationals for Greco-Roman wrestling was from July 16-17, and nationals for freestyle was from July 19-21.

Drylie, who will be a freshman at Colby Community College, emerged as one of the state's top wrestlers. He finished second at Class 5A state this year after finishing sixth his junior year.

"This year, I've been practicing with a lot more college guys, which is a lot better competition, and I've been working a lot harder," Drylie said. "I'm in a lot better shape."

Drylie had a particularly successful summer.

He also was a Kansas State Greco-Roman champion, Kansas State Freestyle champion, Southern Plains Region Greco-Roman champion, Southern Plains Region Freestyle champion and Southern Plains Region Folkstyle champion.