The #2 Indianola boys wrestling team missed out on qualifying for the state championship match by one point, and eventually placed 4th at the class 3A State Dual Tournament on Saturday as heard live on 94.3 KNIA.

The Indians came out firing to start, defeating Dubuque Hempstead in the first round 45-11. Indianola got wins by fall from Dax Clatt at 175 to start the match, Mac Crosson at 113, Elijah Blewitt at 144, and Jake Pontier at 150lbs to get the win.

Advancing to the semifinals against #3 Bettendorf in a rematch from earlier this season, Indianola got ahead early, but would be unable to hold the lead against the powerful Bulldog gauntlet of top wrestlers. Indianola led 12-3 after getting wins by Carson Slorah at 215, Jaxson Boyd at Heavyweight, Sawyer Nelson at 106, and Crosson at 113, but then gave up 22 straight points to trail 25-12. The trio of Blewitt, Pontier, and AJ Pontier at 157 all won to get Indianola to a tie, before a win by fall from Bettendorf put the onus on Dax Clatt at 175 down six to force a tiebreaker. Clatt dominated in the final match, but was a victim of his own success, as he earned a technical fall victory and Bettendorf won the match 31-30.

In the third place matchup, Indianola fell behind against Fort Dodge 10-0, but a win by fall from Crosson again put Indianola back within a point and the squads would go back and forth through the match. Rylan Hilton got an upset victory, and again the trio of Blewitt, Pontier, and Pontier joined by Ethan McDonald at 165 put Indianola up 29-24 going into the final two matches, where back to back wins on points gave Fort Dodge the 30-29 win.

Head coach Clint Manny tells KNIA Sports the team performed well, but still have a lot to improve upon before they perform up to their capabilities at the individual state tournament.

Indianola will next travel back to Fort Dodge for individual district qualifying on Saturday.