Tonight, the Demon Den is host to a first-of-its-kind event when Washington entertains three local schools for the Washington County Wrestling Duals.
The Demon boys open a new year tonight on their home mat. Washington piled up a 16-4 dual record last season, finishing second in the Southeast Conference. Four All-SEC Competitors return including senior Aaron Boone with his 42-3 record. Boone qualified for State at 132lbs and finished on the podium in fourth place in Class 2A. Two years ago, a State qualifier, junior Caden Greiner is back, after a sophomore year with 36 match wins. Senior Nate Edmonds and sophomore Blaine Rees are back after 25 and 32 wins respectively a year ago.
These will be the first duals of the year for the Demon girls. Washington has been busy on the mat so far this winter, finishing ninth at Burlington, 13th at Sigourney-Keota, 15th at West Liberty and 13th Monday as a team at Fort Madison. Top individual performances include titles for Peggy Miller at SK and Ft. Madison, to go with runner-up finishes at Burlington and West Liberty. Nora Stoutner took third at Burlington and Fort Madison and Ryha Wellington was third at Burlington.
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk boys open the season tonight at the Demon Den. The Hawks had a 6-9 dual record last season, finishing ninth at the River Valley Conference Championships. Top returners for the Golden Hawks include last year’s wins leader Burke Berry, with his 30-11 record as a junior. He fell one match shy of state, dropping a wrestleback at districts. Trevyn Riley returns as a sophomore after a 22 win debut season on the mat. Quinn Callahan posted 21 victories last year, falling one win shy of State at districts. Other Hawks over .500 a year ago that return include Colin O’Rourke, Mason Howe, Max Howe, Austin Bush, Dom Shivley, and Brock Fisher.
The Mid-Prairie girls have their first duals of the year tonight, but they are out to a fast start on the tournament trail. The Hawks won the tournament team title at Wilton and finished second at West Liberty, while also competing at North Scott. Individually, Ashlee Farrier is three for three, winning titles with unbeaten records at Wilton, West Liberty and North Scott. Austyn Sexton and Mardie Berry won gold at North Scott and Ellie Callahan made the top of the podium at West Liberty. Runners-up this season include Delaney Blum, Maya Banuelos, Emmerson Moore, Layken Lee and Cassie Trimpe all at North Scott. Third place performances are Destina Moyle, Ruby Miller, Brooklyn Lovetinsky, Madison Reinier, Kirstyn Bell, Adelyn Huston and Callahan at North Scott, Miller, Moore, Lee, and Callahan at Wilton and Sexton and Gabby Gingerich at West Liberty.
The Highland boys start the season tonight. The Huskies were 7-4 in duals last year, and finished fourth at the Southeast Iowa Superconference championships. Wins leader Tyler Pierson is back after a 34-12 freshman season. Brock Thomann returns as a senior after going 31-17 as a junior. State qualifier Luke Guseman at 120lbs wrapped up his career for the Huskies last year, as did 20 match winner Jack Peiffer.
The Highland girls have already completed five events this year. They dropped three duals at the Cardinal tournament, finished ninth at the Southeast Iowa Superconference tourney, 11th at Columbus, 14th at BGM, and 16th at Fort Madison. Individually, Chloe Sexton has a trio of titles from Columbus, BGM and the conference tournament with a fourth place finish at Fort Madison. Maiya Singbeil was conference runner-up and third at Columbus.
The WACO boys had an 8-12 dual season last year, finishing fifth at the SEISC Championships. State runner-up Louden Huisenga is back after a 37-1 season, as is Gage Samo after a 34 win campaign and finish on the podium in Des Moines.
In the early season this year, the Warrior girls as a team have placed fifth at the conference tournament, seventh at Columbus, 12th at BGM, and 13th at SK. Individually, Elyssa Graber is perfect, with championships at all four events. Rylee Rice won gold at Columbus, finished second at conference and third at BGM. Athena Flores was runner-up at Columbus and Addison Alliman and Deedra Graber third at BGM and conference respectively.
Action starts tonight at 5p.m. At the Demon Den in Washington.