Statesmen of the Week: Kael Bunce and Erica Martin

Oskaloosa–Men’s wrestler Kael Bunce (Sr., Stockbridge, Mich., Mechanical Engineering) and women’s track and field athlete Erica Martin (Sr., Detroit, Mich., Sports Management) have been named Statesmen of the Week for the week of February 12-18, presented by Gardner-Collier Jewelry.

Bunce battled back through the consolation bracket to qualify for NAIA Nationals. The senior 157-pounder lost his second match of last weekend’s Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship, but then rattled off four victories in a row. He eventually shut out his opponent 7-0 to place third overall.

Bunce’s tournament run featured two technical falls, one fall, and one major decision.

Martin posted her two best throws of the season at last weekend’s Heart Indoor Championship. She placed eight in the weight throw at 49-4.25, but really made a splash in the shot put.

The senior took third in the shot put by throwing a distance of 44-1.5, which not only hit the automatic national-qualifying standard, but also broke a school record (42-6) that had stood since 2015.

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