State wrestling first round recap

DES MOINES — The first round of the state wrestling tournament saw a lot of success by the Union area wrestlers.

A slew still have a chance at competing for a state championship on the top side of their bracket, while others will look to get back to at least third in the consolation bracket.

Class 1A, Sigourney-Keota led the Union area with six wrestlers.

Reanah Utterback moved on to the quarterfinals at 106 after a first-round bye and a 6-4 decision win over Clayton Ridge’s Erik Flores.

The Cobras Jack Clarahan received a first-round bye as well at 170. He followed up with an 8-0 major decision victory over Owen Hoover of CAM. Clarahan is on to semifinals.

The Cobras, Brady Clark (126), Dan McLaughlin (132), Reid Molyneux (152) and Jake Moore (160) have all moved to the consolation bracket after falling in one of their first two matches.

For New London, Dom Lopez is still alive at 160. Lopez received an opening round bye before tech falling his first opponent, Rory Prazak of Central Springs, 23-8. Lopez tied the Iowa High School Wrestling all time wins record of 219 with the victory.

Other wrestlers for the Tigers include Gage Burden (126), Michael Raines (170) and Trent Wilkerson (195) Raines and Wilderson both won their first matches before falling in the second. They also won their opening consolation bouts.

For Highland, Carlos Valenzuela is still on the top side of the bracket at 132. Valenzuela received a bye and then defeated Easton Krall of Wapsie Valley by decision 3-1.

Luke Guseman and Jack Peiffer have both moved into the consolation bracket at 120 and 138. Guseman won his opening match before falling in the second. Peiffer dropped his first match of the day.

For WACO, Louden Huisenga is still in the winners bracket at 160 after round one. In his first match of the day, Huisenga advanced on a disqualification. He took the win over Ben Hansen of Missouri Valley.

Gage Samo also moved to the quarterfinal at 113. Samo followed up his bye with a 6-2 decision victory over Cole Frost of Don Bosco.

The Warriors Drew Diers dropped to consolation bracket at 195 after a first-round loss.

Cardinal’s lone wrestler, Isaac Cox got a win in his opening match by fall in the final two seconds, but he was defeated in his second match by fall to drop to the consolation bracket.

Pekin’s Blake Juhl was a winner at 182 to start the meet. Juhl downed Terrian Islas of East Union by fall in 2:37, but was defeated in his second match to move to the consolation bracket.

In Class 2A Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union led the way with five total wrestlers.

For the Wildcats, Russel Coil is the lone wrestler heading to the quarterfinals.

Coil picked up a pair of decision wins over Sean May of BCLUW-SH 4-3 and Sam Gravert of Central DeWitt, 5-2.

Kai Malone got a first-round victory at 220, but then fell by fall in his second match to fight for third.

Cole Storm (160), Triston Miller (152) and Dante Zuniga (145) were all defeated in their opening matches. They all received byes in their opening consolation matches.

Washington followed with four wrestlers.

All four of the Demons wrestlers have moved into the consolation bracket.

The Demon’s Aaron Boone won his first match by tech fall, 23-5 over Carter Liston of AP-GC, but Boone dropped his second by a narrow 8-7 decision.

Caden Greiner (132), Chase Greiner (160) and Curtis Stender (195) were all defeated to start the tournament. The trio also received a bye in their consolation matches.

Fairfield brought four competitors as well.

At 113, Cael McCabe received a bye, but fell in his round-two match by decision 5-0.

Cason Miller (145), Dre Smithburg (220) and Brandon Brinkschroeder (285) were all bested in their opening matches. All three received a bye in the opening round of the consolation bracket.

Mid-Prairie’s Terry Bordenave is the sole representative for the Golden Hawks. Bordenave fell in his first-round contest to Braydon Hoffman of Solon, 6-3. He received a bye in his first consolation round.

As of the release of this article, the quarterfinal matches, along with the second and third rounds of the consolation brackets will be completed.