Groom Secures Spot on State Podium
DES MOINES – Entering Friday’s competition at the Class 1A state wrestling tournament North Mahaska had two wrestlers seeking to make the podium on Saturday. Junior Joel DeJong at 126 and sophomore Ryan Groom at 132 were seeking to earn third after moving to the consolation bracket on Thursday.
By the end Groom remained in contention and can finish no worse than sixth. His quest for third begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. He will be the third North Mahaska wrestler to reach placement in school history. Randy Terpstra was a state champion at 185 in 1973 and Lincoln Taylor was eighth in 2003.
DeJong saw his tournament come to an end Friday night when he lost his match with Owen Adlfinger of Wilton Adlfinger scored a first period takedown in which DeJong escaped. The Wilton wrestler added two more takedowns in the match to win 6-1. DeJong ended his season 41-12.
“It was a really good experience,” said DeJong. “Now I know what to expect for next year’s tournament. I will be back.”
Groom faced Ethan Sachau of Hinton in his first match Friday winning 9-4. Groom took control with a takedown. Groom added an escape and takedown in the second period to lead 5-0. He added a third period takedown which Sachau answered with an escape. The two grapplers exchanged reversals, but Groom was ahead and won 9-4 over the senior.
That victory put him in the round to guarantee a spot on the podium. In the next round Groom paired up with junior Landon Price of Lake Mills. The two traded scoring in the first period drawing to a 4-4 tie. Groom scored an escape and takedown in period two and after each were warned for stalling Price scored a reversal and trailed Groom 7-6. Price chose the bottom position to begin the third period and escaped. Groom scored a takedown midway through the period and held on for the 9-7 victory.
In the consolation semifinal Groom (42-3) will face another senior in Jayden Friedrichs (47-4) of Akron-Westfield. The Winner will move into the third place match against either Underwood’s Carson Thomsen or Brody Brisker of Wilton, who beat Groom in the championship quarterfinal.
Groom is poised to make his run for third.
“It’s been a good week,” said the sophomore. “I’m excited. I’m placing, but I have to keep working to climb higher.”
Coach Ryan Groom is pleased with his four state wrestlers but is also a proud father.
“First I want to thank the other wrestlers for all their hard work,” said Groom. “The reason we have wrestlers that are successful is those guys in the room pushing them every day. I want to thank my coaching staff again. They are also the reason we are so successful.
“I am looking forward to watch Ryan climb higher and higher in the award stand. I am lucky to be part of a wrestling family.
