State wrestling update

The bright lights turned on in Des Moines on Thursday for the state individual wrestling tournament.

Through the first two rounds of Class 1A and the first round of Class 2A, eight of the 11 area wrestlers who made the trip up to Wells Fargo Arena are still alive in competition.

In the Class 2A night session, Washington had four competitors in the tournament, only one claimed a first-round victory.

At 152 pounds, Trey Van Weelden (46-2) notched a 3-1 decision victory over Central Decatur?s Kade Kelso, and faces West Liberty?s Joe Kelly in Friday afternoon?s state quarterfinal match.

At 126 pounds, Washington?s Andrew Wait fell in his first-round match to a 6-2 decision from Solon?s Ben Carr, and in his consolation round, was defeated by Chariton?s Dylin Harberts in a 6-5 decision, ending Waite?s season at 34-14.

At 138, Austin Hazelett  was pinned by Clear Lake?s Ryan Leisure in the first round, and in the consolation round fell by an 11-4 decision to PCM-Monroe?s Lucas Roland, ending his year at 43-8.

Freshman Tristan Westphal-Edwards (160 pounds) fell in a 9-2 decision to Independence?s Jake Juhl in his first round match, before dropping his consolation match by a 10-5 decision. He finished his first varsity season at 40-10.

In other Class 2A action, Mid-Prairie saw Levi Duwa (220 pounds) win his first-round match against Charles City?s Aaron Maloy by a 7-3 decision to move on to Friday?s quarterfinal round.

At 113 pounds, the Golden Hawks? Duncan McCain was majored in his first round match with an 8-0 decision, before pinning his opponent in the consolation rounds, moving on to Friday.

Columbus saw Tucker Morrison win his first-round match at 170 by a 5-1 decision to advance to the quarterfinals.

Columbus senior Josh Keller, who was a state runner up at 106 pounds a year ago, was pinned in his first-round match at 113 pounds this year, but rebounded with a 2-0 decision win in the consolation rounds to move on to Friday.

In Class 1A, Highland saw two wrestlers have successful days.

Bryce and Drew West each won their first-round matches, and on Friday morning, both advanced to the state semifinals with Bryce earning a major decision at 120, and Drew earning a pin fall at 126. The Class 1A semifinals will be wrestled on Friday afternoon.

WACO?s Cody Crawford was pinned in his first round match at the state tournament, and rebounded with a 4-1 decision to advance to Friday morning?s tournament.

In his second-round consolation match, Crawford earned a 9-2 victory over Riverside (Oakland)?s Coy Maher to advance to guarantee a medal at the tournament.