The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, Dike-New Hartford and BCLUW-South Hardin boys wrestling teams will embark on quest for bids to individual state tournament at the Class 2A District 11 state qualifying tournament at Webster City on Saturday.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows enters off a third place finish at the state dual team tournament on Saturday, February 8. The Cowboys have six individually ranked wrestlers including Linden Phetxoumphone (31-1) ranked #1 at 120, Adrian Phetxoumphone (36-2) ranked #5 at 126, Colin Sekser (30-8) ranked #5 at 144, Caleb Seaba (29-12) ranked #11 at 157, Charlie Campbell (38-3) ranked #5 at 175 and JT Kelso (35-5) ranked #5 at 285.
Cowboys Head Coach Dillon Anderson on preparation ahead of districts.
“The mindset this week was to rest up and take it a little bit easier. We wrestled a couple good matches versus some high level competition at dual meet. We rested up for a day or two and did lighter practice,” says Anderson. “We got everyone a little bit closer to weight towards the middle of the week. Then at the end of the week we really just fine tuned anything, that our wrestlers really feel like they need to go over or review. We’re ready to go and wrestle the best we can possibly wrestle on Saturday.”
Dike-New Hartford concluded the regular season by going 3-0 at Maquoketa Valley quad on Thursday, February 6. The Wolverines have four wrestlers with over 25 wins including Gavin Gerbracht at 150 (35-9), Tate DeBuhr at 285 (30-10), Dax Weedman at 144 (28-11) and Karson VanHeiden at 132 (27-17).
Wolverines Head Coach Tony Norton on getting healthy and ready to battle.
“We have more room to grow. We’re very young, obviously. Two seniors and one junior in the lineup, otherwise freshmen, sophomores. Hopefully to full strength, and we have everybody healthy,” says Norton. “It’s that fight, fight, fight, time of the year. When you gotta fight for everything. We’ll see what happens.”
BCLUW-South Hardin’s top contenders include Ryan Busch at 165 (30-13), Garret Bruner at 126 (29-13) and Beau Towne at 157 (22-7).
The top two placewinners in each weight class will advance to the state tournament. Wrestlebacks will be held for second place.
Reports will air throughout the day on 104.9 KLMJ and 99 The Wave in-between live wrestling coverage. The tournament was moved back from original 10 a.m. start due to weather and will begin at 12:00 p.m. in Webster City.
