Ten area wrestlers have advanced to day two of the 2016 Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament. Five of the 10 competitors dropped their first round matches before coming back to win in the consolation bracket.
The Washington Demons lost three of their four state qualifiers in the Class 2A bracket. Junior Trey Van Weelden (152) is the only Demon to advance to Friday’s competition, winning a 3-1 over Central Decatur’s Kade Kelso (48-11). Juniors Andrew Waite (126; 34-14) and Austin Hazelett (138; 43-8) and freshman Tristan Westphal-Edwards (160; 40-10) saw their seasons come to an end on the state tournament’s first day.
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks advance their two wrestlers to Friday. Junior Levi Duwa (220; 43-2) moved on in the championship bracket with a 7-3 decision win versus Charles City’s Aaron Maloy (29-12). Junior Duncan McCain (113; 41-2) lost his first round match by an 8-0 decision over Riley Wright (46-4) of Denver/Tripoli. He stayed alive in the consolation bracket with a win by fall (2:40) over Bondurant-Farrar’s Walter Long (22-16).
The Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union Wildcats saw their two state qualifiers make it to Friday’s grapples of the Class 2A tournament. Junior Tucker Morrison stayed in the championship bracket with a 5-1 decision win over Sheldon/South O`Brien’s Luke Jenness (36-12). Senior Josh Keller (113; 40-2) lost his state opener by fall against Noah Fye of New Hampton (43-3). He bounced back and won the wrestle back by decision, 2-0, over ADM’s Nolan Harsh (39-16).
Highland’s twin brothers are moving on in the Class 1A championship bracket. Junior Bryce West (120; 52-0) opened the state tournament with a win by fall (1:11) over Wapsie Valley-Fairbank’s Kaleb Kral (40-8). Junior Drew West (126; 50-0) won his state opener by 10-3 over Logan-Magnolia’s Garret Thompson (41-11).
Sigourney/Keota has two of their four state qualifiers moving onto day two of the Class 1A tournament. Sophomore Kaleb Reeves (182; 43-10) keeps his season alive in the consolation bracket. He lost his first round match by technical fall (17-0) against Daniel Bishop (44-1) of Hinton. He won his wrestle back match by fall (3:29) over Hunter Hagen (41-5) of West Hancock-Britt. Junior Noah Boender (195; 45-6) also survives the first day of state in the consolation bracket. He lost his opening match by decision 9-2 against Landers Kuboushek (46-3) of South Winneshiek-Calmar. He kept alive in the wrestleback, winning by fall (5:27) over Mike Ward East Union. Sophomore Luke House (113; 29-23) and senior Lane Boender (145; 44-9) have been eliminated from competition.
Finally, WACO sophomore Cody Crawford (285; 26-6) has made it to day two in the consolation bracket. He lost his opening match by fall (1:10) against Sawyer Hulshizer (43-2) of Saint Ansgar. He won his wrestleback match by decision, 4-1, versus Lane Ripperger (33-11) of East Union.
Today’s competition begins at 9 a.m. with the Class 1A championship quarterfinal round at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. KCII will bring you live updates throughout the day.