Area wrestlers off to state!

DES MOINES — The state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines is just a couple of days away, and per usual, the Union area coverage will be well represented.

There will be 16 wrestlers on the mats starting Wednesday, when the four-day tournament kicks off. Six of those matmen will be representing Fairfield, which leads the Union coverage area with six names on the list.

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Not only did Fairfield get six qualifiers out of the Class 2A District 4 tournament in Centerville on Saturday, but four of them finished with a bracket in their hands.

Last year’s state runner-up Cael McCabe cruised to a championship in the 113-pound bracket. State placewinner Cason Miller won his bracket at 157, and so did past state qualifiers Dain Burkhart and Dre Smithburg, taking the brackets at 175 pounds, and 215 pounds respectively.

Fairfield had two wrestlers get into the field from second. Zandrik Allison took silver at 144 pounds, and Alex Hudson battled back to win the second place match at 285, giving the Trojans a sixth name on the list.

Unfortunately for fans of Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union, no Wildcats were able to nab one of two transfer spots in any of the weight classes. The same went for Mt. Pleasant and Mid-Prairie, who were both shut out at the Class 2A District 12 tournament in Williamsburg.

It was a day of heartbreak in Williamsburg, as nobody from Mt. Pleasant, Mid-Prairie or Washington won their bracket. Demon 132-pounder Aaron Boone will return to state yet again after finishing second. He was upset by sudden victory in his championship match, but will still move on.

Three WACO Warriors won their bracket at the Class 1A, District 7 meet in Pleasantville. Ian Maize (106), Gage Samo (120) and 2024 state runner-up Louden Huisenga (190) are all headed to Des Moines.

Also moving on from 1A-7 was Leo Jirak of Van Buren County, who took second to Maize at 106, and Owen Menke of Sigourney-Keota, who took second at 285.

Four area wrestlers advanced from the Class 1A, District 12 tournament in Wilton, all finishing in second. Highland’s Cash Cole (113) and Tyler Pierson (132) are headed to state, as are New London’s Kane Forseen (126) and Gage Burden (138).