IHSAA boys state wrestling is underway from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, as seven Algona Bulldogs hit the mat to kick off yesterday’s 2A competition. Of the seven Algona wrestlers competing, three had a first round bye followed by a second round victory, two won their first match and lost their second, while two lost in the first round.
Algona Head Coach Nick Kuecker feels his team executed well in a big time environment.
At 113, Jake Zabka had a first round bye, then took a 4-3 decision over Carter Schmauss of Crestwood, as Zabka held on in the third period taking a 4-1 lead after two. Zabka advances to Thursday’s quarterfinals with the win.
Tate Slagle is also on to the quarterfinal round after a first round bye at 138, followed by a 10-0 major decision over Easton Wheeler of Anamosa.
Barrett Morgan had a first round bye at 126, then ran into Humboldt’s Jayden Gargano for the third time this season. Morgan edged out a 1-0 decision over Gargano to punch his quarterfinal ticket.
At 120, Isaac Wilson was victorious in his first match over Bishop Heelan’s Ben Walsh by a 12-8 decision. Wilson would be pinned in 1:40 in his second match of the day by Williamsburg’s Gavin Jensen, sending Wilson into the consolation bracket for Thursday.
Taevyn Zinnel started his day with a victory by major decision at 132, as Zinnel defeated Charlie Showalter of Hampton-Dumont-CAL 14-2. Zinnel lost by a 5-0 decision in his second match of the day, coming against Central DeWitt’s Royce Butt.
At 145, Ashton Moreno is on to the consolation round after losing by decision to Carroll’s Cooper Ludwig 7-0.
Cohen Reffer was pinned in 5:59 by Glenwood’s Trent Patton in his first match of the day, as Reffer is on to the back side of the bracket.
All seven Bulldog wrestlers will be back on the mat on Thursday, as the wrestlers in the consolation bracket will now need a win to keep their season alive. You can hear play-by-play of the Algona wrestlers throughout the day on Thursday on KLGZ 98.5 FM/AM 1600, as the class 2A session begins at 1:30.
