Indianola Boys Wrestling Ends as Class 3A Runners Up at State Duals
The Indianola boys wrestling team made a run to the class 3A State Championship match Saturday at the State Dual Tournament, falling to Southeast Polk and placing second. The Indians first matched up with an old rival in Bettendorf in the quarterfinals, getting wins by fall from Carson Slorah at 215lbs, Xander Overton at 285lbs, and Ayden Swedburg at 120lbs to have the score tied at 18 after the first five clashes. Bettendorf would score the next 10 to lead 28-18, but Indianola earned big wins in ranked matchups from Mac Crosson and Ryan Young at 138lbs and 144 respectively, then got three straight technical falls from Elijah Blewitt at 150lbs, Jake Pontier at 157lbs, and AJ Pontier at 165lbs to seal the win 39-33.
In the semifinals, the Indians would face off with the only team to beat them in a dual so far this season in Waverly-Shell Rock. Slorah and Overton again got the Indians off to a good start with wins by fall to lead 12-0, but the Go-Hawks would lead 19-15 after the 132lbs matchup. Crosson, Young, and Blewitt all earned wins by fall to put Indianola up 33-19, then as the Go-Hawks got the score to within five with two weights remaining at 175lbs, senior Will Whalen picked up a surprise pin as he trailed with just seconds remaining to secure the entry into the championship.
Tegan Anderson would put the cherry on top at 190lbs with another pin as Indianola avenged their loss from earlier this season 45-27.
The Indians ran out of steam against the unstoppable force of #1 Southeast Polk boasting 13 ranked weights, falling 54-14 with Crosson, Blewitt, and Jake Pontier earning points.
The Indians dual season comes to a close, with individual qualifying coming next Saturday.
Indianola Boys Swimming Qualifies Four Events to State
The Indianola boys swimming team will send two swimmers in four events to the state meet after their qualifying meet on Saturday in Ames. Senior Ethan Russell had the 13th fastest time in the 50 Freestyle, and the 24th fastest in the 100 Freestyle, while senior Isaiah Picard qualified in the 200 Para Freestyle and the 100 Para Freestyle. The state meet will take place this Friday and Saturday in Iowa City.