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MP, Washington get fourth place finishers at IHSAA state tournament
Levi Evans podiums for Panthers, Caden Greiner reps Demons
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
DES MOINES — Mt. Pleasant got its first representative at the Iowa High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament in six years. But he was far from just happy to be there.
Seeded No. 14 in the Class 2A 120-pound bracket, Levi Evans was hungry to prove himself on the biggest stage. With no room left for error after a loss in the second championship round, Evans went on a tear. He beat five straight opponents, including the No. 5, 6 and 7 seeds, to reach the third place match Saturday.
Evens didn’t manage to keep his numerical order streak of wins going against No. 4 seed Atlee Dewitt — the Alburnett wrestler won by technical fall 22-6. But along with some frustration came satisfaction for Evans, who did exactly what he set out to do; make a name for himself.
“I beat three kids who were ranked above me,” Evans said. “Now they know that even though they're ranked above me that I'm not nobody and I can still wrestle just like them.”
Evans’ earlier wins weren’t without drama. Evans pinned No. 6 seed Mitchell Williams of Crestwood after 5:53. He took the lead against No. 5 seed Rowan Berndt of Burlington Notre Dame after a takedown with four seconds left in the third round.
Both wins were impressive display of Evans ability. They were also payback, after both Williams and Berndt beat Evans during the regular season.
“I was just thinking, I can't lose to this kid again,” Evans said. “I already lost once, and if I want to be as good as all these other kids, I’ve got to get over losing and just go out there and wrestle my match.”
Evans ended his first trip to state with a podium finish after narrowly missing out out on qualifying last year at 106. He finished third in the 2A state qualifier at Williamsburg.
The biggest difference? Confidence.
“If I had to say where it came from, it'd probably be my parents, and just winning a bunch this year.” Evans said. “I won way more matches than I did last year, and my parents are always telling me how proud of me they are no matter what, and that just really gives me a boost.”
Long-awaited podium for Greiner
Washington’s Caden Greiner finished fourth in the Class 2A 138-pound bracket. The senior was pinned in 1:59 in the third place match by No. 3 seed Liam Adlfinger of Wilton.
A podium appearance at state had long been on Greiner’s mind. He was forced to take last season off after a he suffered torn ACL, but worked his way all the way back to represent the Demons on the biggest stage.
“My freshman year I made it here, went 0-2,” Greiner said. “So I was like, I need to get on that podium sometime, and so I just kept thinking about that.”
Greiner took down the No. 4 seed, Union’s Kaydin Jones on Saturday to reach the third place bout. He also flipped his championship second round loss to No. 10 seed Caiden Latch of Rolond-Story into a win by decision 13-6 in the fifth consolation round.
Washington had an impressive five wrestlers reach the state championship meet. Burkhart acheived the best finish of a group that also included Jace Kinzenbaw (157 pounds), Blaine Rees (190), Brayden Vermillion (215) and Rudy Wolfe (285). Rees picked up three wins in the 190-bracket.
“It just says a whole lot about us that we're kind of like a family,” Greiner said. “Just sticking together and making each other better in the room, and we know when to be serious and when to have fun a little bit.”
