Area 1A Wrestlers on to State!
Alex Hanna
For a program that was ‘non-existent’ just 3 years ago, the North Mahaska Warriors were jubilant on Saturday at the Class 1a District 5 finals in Pleasantville after qualifying not 1 – but 2 wrestlers for the state tournament next week at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. As if that weren’t enough, the young program’s head coach Matt Strasser witnessed his son Tyler work back through the consolation round to finish second in weight class 120 and punch his ticket to ‘The Well’. North Mahaska brought just 2 wrestlers out of Sectionals last week into District – but advanced them both. Strasser , along with weight class 126 champ Jerrett Stodghill will join 15 other wrestlers from around the state in their respective weight classes beginning this Thursday at 9am. Stodghill is just a freshman already amassing 40 wins this season. (Live coverage heard in Hi-Fidelity on 96.7 KIIC or stream via www.kiicradio.com)
Strasser got the pin in his consolation round against senior Clayton McKim of Pekin, who had only 8 total losses on the season. Coach Strasser leapt to his feet and thumped his fist in the air when the official slapped his hand on the mat to declare the pin. “As soon as Tyler go the reversal and put him on his back – oh man what a feeling” said Coach Strasser. (see his complete interview with KIIC in this story)
Elsewhere, Sigourney Keota – already a state qualifier for team duals on Wednesday – also advanced 4 wrestlers to state. Brothers Lane and Noah Boender, Luke House and Kaleb Reeves each earn a coveted slot in the class 1a individual round next week. Lane told KIIC radio “I’m looking to finish better than my 8th place showing last year”
The Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Rocket program – which finished 1st in at the state tournament in 2014, is young and rebuilding with several talented wrestlers coming up through the ranks. The Rockets advance Adam Proctor and Alex Hanna. Hanna (pictured) fought back in the wrestle-backs to finish 2nd at Districts.
Follow the wrestlers at state with Jason Summers, Joe Sinclair, Travis Zapitul, Kevin Cochran and Joe Milledge all next week on 96.7FM KIIC.
