Small schools kick off wrestling season

Monday and Tuesday saw a handful of meets around the area’s small school teams.

Van Buren County splits

In the only area contest on Monday, the Warriors took on both Lone Tree and West Branch. Van Buren County defeated Lone Tree 60-12, and fell to West Branch 54-13.

The Warriors’ win over Lone Tree came on the backs of three pinfalls. T.J. Jirak, Tyler Stoltz and Caden Smith all pinned their opponents in the win.

Cardinal goes 2-1

The Comets fell twice in a home quad, dropping a match 54-21 to Mediapolis and 68-12 to Muscatine, but Cardinal did notch one win on the day, a 42-30 defeat of North Cedar.

New London falls twice

The Tigers dropped two games in West Liberty. Lisbon defeated New London 65-11, and North Mahaska downed the Tigers 42-29.

In their close loss to North Mahaska, the Tigers picked up three pins. Gage Burden, Michael Raines and Trent Wilkerson all pinned their opponent to the mat. Dominic Lopez won on a technical fall.

Pekin swept in Davis County quad

The Pekin wrestling team opened the season up in Bloomfield on Tuesday, and fell to hosting Davis County 54-30, Lynnville-Sully 39-27, and Ottumwa 64-18.

The Panthers had a shot against Lynnville-Sully, and did get a boost from a 10-6 decision by Logan Baker at 170 pounds, but the Panthers lost two of three contested matches.