Short order for the masked man

DES MOINES — An injury as a sophomore left Mount Ayr senior Cal Daughton donning a protective mask on the mat.

While it can be challenging to wear the apparatus at times, it hasn’t affected how he’s been able to dominate people on the mat in his senior season.

The masked avenger made quick work of Rockford’s Dakota Vance, winning by pin in 53 seconds to advance to the quarterfinals of the Class 1A 170-pound bracket Thursday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Daughton has used his speed and power all season to dominate opponents.

Thursday followed that trend.

“I just went out there and double-legged him, half him, finished him,” Daughton said.

Winning in his state debut meant plenty for him.

“It feels great for the first time at state going out there,” Daughton said.

He didn’t show any nerves.

“Coaches just told me its another tournament, come out there, do my best like what I’ve been doing for the last three months,” Daughton said. “It feels good. I wanted to get off to a good start.”

Daughton cut right through Vance.

“He looked smooth,” said Mount Ayr assistant coach Kurt Wallace. “It was very nice for him in his first time down here.”

Daughton dominated the pace from the state.

“We just told him to go out there and wrestle his match, not worry about what the other kid did. He did what he needed to do. We told him he has good stuff, make it work for you. That’s what he did.”

Southwest Valley’s Teagan Lundquist found a move that worked and worked often against West Lyon’s Justin Severson during their first-round consolation match at 126 pounds.

Lundquist overpowered Severson, leading to a 15-0 technical fall win to stay alive.

Lundquist locked in an arm bar repeatedly. While Lundquist didn’t get the pin, he kept wracking up near fall points.

“I guess a lot of armbars. He couldn’t defend them,” Lundquist said. “I couldn’t get him pinned, but I’ll take three points anyway. It makes me feel pretty good knowing I can control him.”

Lundquist has power on top. He displayed it against Severson.

“I knew he could wrestle with any kid out there,” said Southwest Valley coach Jason Wetzel. “This match shows how dominant Teagan can be on top. He was able to get turns. That’s what he needed.”

Bryce Newton saw his tournament come to an end with a pair of losses.

Newton reached his season’s goal by making state.

“I had two phenomenal matches,” Newton said. “I love being on the mat.”

Newton reached state for the first time as a senior.

For him it was a major accomplishment in a season where he advance to districts for the first time as well.

“When I was a freshman, I didn’t make it anywhere. I’d never made it to districts before this year. Getting here and seeing my progression of my skills where I’m at is great.”

East Union freshman Sherman Hayes dropped both of his matches at 126 pounds to bow out of the tournament.

Hayes was in there battling in both matches, but came up short.

“He wrestled tough,” said East Union coach Justin Staver. “It was a tough day. It was heartbreaking.”

Staver liked Hayes’ approach to the tournament.

“He really did well in the environment,” Staver said. “He didn’t let the pressure get to him. He got after it. He was wrestling well.”

Hayes had moments where it looked like he could have won both matches, but end up on the wrong side of both.

“I thought he could’ve won both of those,” Staver said. “Those kids got the best of him today. Next week, maybe we get on top of this.”

Still, as a freshman, Hayes’ future is bright.

“As a freshman, he gets three more chances at this, three more chances to keep getting better,” Staver said. “He’ll be back.”

Class 1A results

Mount Ayr

First round — 170 — Cal Daughton pinned Dakota Vance (RRMR) :53.

East Union

First round — 126 — Sherman Hayes dec. by Zane Osborne (MED) 7-3. First round consolation — Hayes pinned by Anavin Mounivong (MVAO) 3:21.

Southwest Valley

First round — 126 — Brady Henderson (NL) dec. Teagan Lundquist 5-2; 220 — Tom Rief (MV) pinned Bryce Newton 3:23/

First round consolation — 126 — Teagan Lundquist pnned Justin Severson (WL) 15-0, 3:45; 220 — Colton Francis (WH) pinned Bryce Newton 4:52.