21 area wrestlers advance to State Tournament

Twenty-one area boys wrestlers qualified for the State Tournament next Wednesday through Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Eleven of those came from Williamsburg, three each from Belle Plaine and Iowa Valley, two from Montezuma and one each from HLV-TC and BGM.

In Class 1A, BGM and Iowa Valley wrestled at Pleasantville, Belle Plaine, HLV-TC and Montezuma at Colfax-Mingo and English Valleys at Wilton.

Colfax-Mingo District

COLFAX — The Sankot twins (Will and Wade) have been playing sports together all their lives, and now they get to share the experience of going to State together.

Will Sankot, at 144-pounds, fought his way to the second-place wrestleback and defeated HLV-TC’s Landyn Ankrum. Wade took home the 157 title defeating Moravia’s Isaac Messamaker.

The twins weren’t the only two Plainsmen to qualify. Aidan Timm, at 138, dominated his bracket with two falls and a major decision.

“The birds don’t think about flying, they just fly,” said Timm after qualifying.

Timm was the lone Plainsmen qualifier last season but will have some company this time around. The Plainsmen will be ‘flying’ to State as a trio.

“These three juniors have been together since elementary, and are darn near like brothers,” Belle Plaine coach Brandon Heying said. “Even if they don’t say it, I think it means a lot to them.”

Derek Kressley, at 175, and Hayden Neuhaus, at 120, added third-place finishes, and the Plainsmen placed third as a team.

Brothers Brett and Braxton Plants qualified for Montezuma, one of three area sibling duos to qualify.

Brett Plants, at 190, won the second-place wrestleback over Lisbon’s Gavin Karmer.

Braxton, a weight up at 215, won his bracket with two wins by fall.

One last area qualifier at Colfax was HLV-TC’s Cael Weisskopf.

Weisskopf had to deal with one of the best overall wrestlers at 150 in Lisbon’s Tiernan Boots.

There was no wrestleback after being defeated in the final, clinching Weisskopf’s first-ever State appearance.

It was a good experience for what’s to come for Weisskopf at State.

“I’ll see guys like him (Boots) at State,” Weisskopf said. It was good for me to work through different positions.

Weisskopf has improved a lot this year and his record shows.

“I think it just started with more practice and getting mat time in the offseason,” said Weisskopf. “Everything just felt more natural this season.”

Coach Beau Jack also thinks increased confidence has helped Weisskopf on the mat.

“He made a big jump in confidence in how he goes into matches,” said Jack. “He’s ‘strong as a bull’ and able to work through situations with quick, strong hips.”

The Warriors’ sophomore now hopes to take that confidence and push for a medal at State.

“He’s going to need to open up his offense more,” Jack said. “We want to enjoy it but it’s still a business trip.”

Pleasantville District

PLEASANTVILLE — Iowa Valley’s Chance Hoyt (150), Mason Hoyt (165) and Nolan Kriegel (175) all advanced to State for the Tigers.

Chance Hoyt and Kriegel won their wrestlebacks for second, and Mason Hoyt, as the two-seed, won his bracket, defeating Alburnett’s Hunter Sauer by a 11-8 decision.

Kriegel did not have a wrestleback, clinching second place after the final.

The Tigers had third-place finishes from Carter Koenig (106), Dane Smith (157) and Ian Smith (215).

BGM’s Hunter Hodina faced only three competitors in the 113 bracket, going 1-1, which was good enough for second.

Hodina was the Bears’ only qualifier and will head to State with a 44-5 record.

Brock York finished third at 144 for the Bears.

Wilton District

WILTON — Braydon Anderson made it the farthest of any Bears’ wrestler by advancing to the second-place wrestleback at 150, but no English Valleys wrestlers advanced to the State meet.

Anderson was pinned by West Branch’s Keaton Gates, finishing the season at 21-15.

Only a freshman, Anderson’s future is bright.