Demons take two duals

The Washington wrestling team continued its strong start to the season on Thursday night, adding another pair of dual wins at a triangular hosted by Highland.

The Demons defeated Highland 66-12 and Louisa-Muscatine 72-6 in the meet, improving the team?s dual record to 5-0 in the first week of the season.

In one of the more anticipated matches of the night, Washington junior Karlton Skubal (ranked No. 10 for Class 2A 182-pound weight class) defeated Louisa-Muscatine?s Hunter Connor (No. 10 for Class 1A 170-pounders).

Skubal got an early takedown and near-fall points to jump out to a 5-0 lead in the match and stayed on top of Connor to cruise to a 9-2 victory.

?I knew (Connor) was going to be good,? Washington head coach Brent Van Weelden said. ?I told Karlton that whoever got the takedowns was going to win that match. We never got under him, because we knew he was good on top. That was probably the highlight match of the night.?

In addition to the Skubal victory at 182, junior Trey Van Weelden picked up a pin fall at 2:40 at 152, sophomore Tanner Murphy pinned his opponent in 1:13 at 195 and sophomore Mitchell Huisenga earned a pin at 3:07 at the 285-pound weight class.

Washington freshman Garrett Ikerd earned a 5-0 decision at the 106-pound class, while Andrew Waite, Kyle Anderson, Austin Hazelett, Michael Ellingson, Tristan Westphal-Edwards, Bryce Rickey, Walker Ikerd and David Hora each earned victories by forfeit.

Against Highland, the 12 points given up to the Huskies came by pins to the West brothers, with Bryce picking up a pin in 48 seconds at 120 and Drew pinning Waite at 1:50 in the 126-pound weight class.

Both Wests, now juniors at Highland, picked up their 100th career wins on the night.

?It?s certainly an accomplishment to do that early in the season, but that?s just one different goal among several they have,? Highland head coach Clint Jones said. ?They have high expectations, and they?ll celebrate tonight, I?m sure, but tomorrow they?ll focus on what they need to do.?

The Washington victories came from Anderson at 132 (fall, 4:00), Ellingson at 145 (fall, :38), Westphal-Edwards at 160 (fall, 1:42), Rickey at 182 (fall, :51) and Walker Ikerd at 113 (fall, 2:19).

Hazelett, Trey Van Weelden, Murphy, Sam Donnolly, Huisenga and Garrett Ikerd each earned wins by forfeit.

The Demons are currently wrestling three freshmen in their varsity lineup, and Brent Van Weelden said he has been happy with their early development.

?We have some pretty good freshmen in there,? Van Weelden said. ?Both Ikerds at 106 and 113, and Westphal-Edwards is a dynamic wrestler at 160. They are fitting in real nice for us.?

In the other dual of the night between Highland and Louisa-Muscatine, the Huskies and Falcons traded numerous forfeits as the Huskies took a 42-39 victory.

In the two matches that were wrestled during the dual, Highland?s Cory Stewart fell in an 11-5 decision to No. 5 ranked Austin Leopard in a 138-pound bout, while Connor picked up a 14-second pin over Highland?s Colton Hill.

Highland had seven forfeit victories to take the dual.

The Demons will be moving on to a tournament on Friday night as they travel to Cascade for a 4:30 p.m. start.

Highland will go to Wapello for a varsity tournament on Saturday.