Washington junior Trey Van Weelden stands a top the podium after winning the 152 pound sectional bracket Saturday at Mediapolis High School. Photo by KCII’s Zach Ulin.
Another stellar weekend performance has propelled the No. 7 Washington Demon wrestling team to new heights. The Demons opened postseason competition in the six-team Class 2A Section 7 tournament hosted by Mediapolis High School, grappling against wrestlers from Mid-Prairie, Columbus, Mediapolis, Fairfield and West Burlington/Notre Dame/Danville. The top two individuals from each weight class advance to next weekend’s district tournament while the two highest scoring teams qualified for Tuesday’s regional dual tournament.
Washington scored a group-best 239 points, edging the Mediapolis by four-and-a-half points to secure their first sectional championship in decades. The Demons had five wrestlers win their weight classes including Garrett Ikerd (106), David Hora (120), Andrew Waite (126), Trey Van Weelden (152), and Tristan Westphal-Edwards (160). Five additional wrestlers qualified for the district tournament as the runner up in their bracket, including Kyle Anderson (132), Austin Hazelett (138), Michael Ellingson (145), Karlton Skubal (182), and Mitchell Huseinga (285). These 10 athletes will compete for spots in the individual state tournament this Saturday at Clear Creek-Amana High School.
The sectional championship has vaulted the Demon wrestling team into the regional dual tournament for the first time. Washington will host the Mediapolis Bulldogs, the West Liberty Comets, and the Williamsburg Raiders tomorrow night in three single elimination duals. The winner of the regional dual advances to next week’s dual state tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The Demons’ semifinal opponent will be the West Liberty Comets, who have won 19 of their 24 duals this season.
First grapples of the Class 2A Region 7 dual tournament begin at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Washington High School. KCII Sports will have live play-by-play coverage of the event on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com.