Today we continue the top 10 countdown of the top moments of the 2019-20 school year with number five. The Indianola wrestling team took down Johnston to send the squad to the state dual team meet this past winter, dominating the Dragons 62-9. The Indians got by Dowling in round one by dominating the Maroons 74-6, then had to face the favorite Johnston with a trip to Wells Fargo Arena on the line.

Indianola jumped out to an early lead 18-0 with wins from Caleb Watson, Miles Berg, Jaylin Smith, and Cael Crawford, then picked up wins by Ryder Downey and Cooper Belt to extend that lead to 26-3. Indianola continued to overwhelm Johnston, with Cael Aldridge and Trey Kaas picking up wins, with Johnston then forfeiting the last three matches to send the Indians to the state dual tournament. Head coach Clint Manny tells KNIA News his squad came together in that win, and he knew it would turn into something special.

“It was just amazing to watch, the confidence in the kids just grew and grew. It’s so contagious to watch, and it’s not coaching, it’s the kids. It’s amazing what those kids can do when they are determined to do it, and they have each other for support. Then the way the dual ended with us being up big and Johnston throwing in the towel and forfeiting out, it was just kind of surreal. I just kept saying I can’t believe it happened that way and that fast, and it was just a great moment and fun to be a part of.”

The Indians saw state qualifiers Miles Berg, Nick Bonanno, Brennan Meacham, and Caleb Watson compete individually at the state meet, and were stalwarts of the team for several years, and will all be lost to graduation.