A pair of local boys’ wrestlers earned second place in their respective weight classes at this year’s Iowa High School Athletic Association state championships at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, as Columbus senior Russell Coil was the runner-up at 285 pounds in Class 2A and WACO junior Louden Husienga did the same in Class 1A at 190.

Coil defeated his first opponent by fall after a first-round bye, then won a 6-0 decision in the quarterfinals before claiming a 3-1 decision in the semis. While he would lose an 8-3 decision in the championship bout to Mac Muller of Osage, the Wildcat senior still ends his final season with a record of 49-2.

Huisenga won in the second round by a 7-0 decision after a bye, then claimed a 14-5 major decision in the quarters. The Warrior junior needed overtime to continue his undefeated season, winning by a 5-3 sudden victory at the semifinals, but Huisenga would suffer a 9-3 decision loss in the title bout to end the season with a mark of 37-1.

Fellow WACO junior Gage Samo earned sixth place in 1A at 113 lbs, bouncing back from an overtime loss in the quarterfinals by winning back-to-back decisions before falling in the consolation semifinals and the fifth-place match.

Highland’s Luke Guseman also earned a medal, responding from a quarterfinal defeat by pinning his next opponent. While he dropped the next two bouts, the Husky senior still finished seventh at 120 lbs.

The best non-finals finish from local wrestlers came from Washington’s Aaron Boone, who was fourth in Class 2A at 132 lbs. The junior lost in the quarterfinals but then won his next three bouts, with only a lost 6-4 decision in his final match keeping him from the bronze medal.