Day One Unkind to Oskaloosa Wrestlers
Senior Skylar DeJong #126 #2 ranked (44-1) took on Conner Christiansen Ames (19-18) in first round action Thursday. (photo by Diane Crookham-Johnson)
by Matt Saville
With the first day of the Iowa State Wrestling Tournament here, the Oskaloosa Wrestling team was looking to do some damage. What they got in the first round, was a quick pin by one of their senior leaders, and two close overtime losses.
Oskaloosa went 1-4 in their 5 first round matches on Thursday.
The first round started off with sophomore Drew Sams #120 (40-8) taking on Grant Stotts from WDM Valley (35-6). Sams wrestled tough, leading most of the match only to fall in overtime 5-3. Sams will wrestle back yet today.
Senior Skylar DeJong #126, #2 ranked, (44-1) took on Conner Christiansen Ames (19-18). DeJong wasted little time, as the senior won by pin in just 1:09 minutes. He will move on to the second round winner’s bracket Friday.
Oskaloosa followed up with senior Cody Jones #170 (36-8), as he went against Casey Crawford (38-6). This would be a wild affair with Jones falling to the Indianola wrestler 11-7 decision. Jones will wrestle back Thursday.
With Oskaloosa needing to turn the momentum back in their favor, they sent sophomore #195 Kylar Salazar to the mat. Salazar holds a (28-14) record. The sophomore fought and battled, leading at times, only to lose a heart breaker in another overtime match on a 7-5 decision. Salazar will wrestle back Thursday.
Oskaloosa’s first round hopes for another win rested on the big shoulders of sophomore #220 Callan Tomlin (36-14). The sophomore was overmatched, as he fell to Christian Heimer of Ankeny 10-2 in a major decision loss for Tomlin. He will wrestle back Thursday.
In the first round consolation match, #120 Drew Sams (40-9) took out his frustration from his earlier first round loss and pounded the opponent from Davenport Central. Sams won by major decision 12-2. Sams will wrestle Friday in the second round of the consolations, looking to earn a spot on the podium on Saturday Night.
#170 senior Cody Jones (34-9) came back and finished his match by pin in the second period to stay alive in the wrestle backs Friday in the second round.
Kylar Salazar #195 (28-15) had an exciting match, shaking off a lot of shots, to gain his wrestle back victory over his Waterloo West opponent in a 9-5 decision. Salazar made it closer than it was, as he was called for locked hands 4 times in the first two rounds.
Sophomore #220 Callan Tomlin was looking to make it a clean sweep in the consolations for the Osky Wrestlers, but it wasn’t to be. Tomlin hung around in a tight match until he was pinned very late in the third round, ending his tournament run. Tomlin finishes the season 36-16.
Osky will be back in action Friday, as DeJong is still in the winner’s bracket. Sams, Jones and Salazar are still alive in the consolation side of the bracket.
