Four area grapplers into quarters

DES MOINES – In some way, shape or form seven of the eight area wrestlers will compete today (Friday) at the traditional State Wrestling Tournament.

Four of the seven ended their opening day with a 1-0 record, none having more energy than East Union’s Sherman Hayes, who took down Teagan Lundquist of Southwest Valley in the final seconds to secure a 7-5 decision win.

For Hayes the win not only avenges a previous loss to Lundquist, but puts him into day two for the first time in high school career at his third state tournament.

“It feels good. It’s my first time making it to the second day of state so it feels a lot better than the last two years,” said Hayes.

The Eagle wrestler trailed 4-1 early in the second period after a Lundquist takedown, but Hayes was able to reverse his way out of it to make it 4-3 to the delight of a number of East Union fans sitting right behind the mat.

Hayes secured an early third period takedown to go up 5-4.

Lundquist escaped the hold and knotted the match at 5-all before the East Union junior clinched things as time expired.

Hayes moves on to face third-ranked Cael Frost of Don Bosco this morning (Friday) as the Class 1A quarterfinals are scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

Lundquist gave props to his Pride of Iowa counterpart after the fourth-ranked wrestler at 138 pounds, according to The Predicament, battled back with a 10-2 major decision win in the opening round of the consolation.

“I’m going to have to give it to him I think he was better conditioned than me. I was out of gas. He did his homework on me,” said Lundquist.

The Timberwolf later added he felt that Hayes limited him from putting together any effective offense.

The goal for the Southwest Valley senior is to finish better than seventh, which has been his previous two results at the state tournament.

In order to continue that goal Lundquist will have to best the loser of Grant Hoeger from Beckman Catholic and Lawson Losee of Riceville, who meet in the quarterfinals this morning (Friday).

Bedford/Lenox sends both to quarterfinals

Chance Strough admitted after his district runner-up finish he needed to work on his offense.

After a scoreless first period, the Bedford/Lenox wrestler went to work escaping early in the round from his bottom position.

It didn’t take long for Strough, a 220-pounder, to earn a takedown and a 3-0 lead midway through the second period.

As the second round ticked away the senior locked in a double underhook and overpowered Keegan Akers of Mediapolis to his back for a pin in 3:59.

With the win, Strough moves on to face the No. 1 wrestler in the state at 220, Garet Sims of Iowa Valley Friday morning.

Drew Venteicher had a little more drama in his opening round match, once again starting a little slower than he preferred.

The second-ranked junior escaped an early takedown and then forced two of his own on Aiden Zook of Hudson.

Venteicher jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the third period, but Zook worked it back to 11-8 before the six minutes expired.

NV’s Cooney makes it to day two

The path for Elliot Cooney started with arguably the best wrestler in the state at 106 pounds, Stevie Barnes of Underwood, who boasted a 48-2 record coming into Thursday.

Barnes showed his form with a 43-second pin of the Nodaway Valley freshman, but it was Cooney’s net match that was the main focus of the Wolverine.

“I went into that match thinking I got to do my best to even get close. So I went out there and tried my hardest. After that, I looked at it, got it out of my head and got ready for the next one,” said Cooney.

NV head coach Jesse McCann admitted the focus was on match No. 2, a first round consolation against Ryan Duckett of St. Edmond.

As a first-time state qualifier, Cooney responded to the opening round loss remarkably well with a first-period pin to secure another day in Wells Fargo Arena.

“That’s tough for any freshman to lose in the first round. He probably had hopes of winning a state championship and he’s got probably the toughest kid in the bracket. He comes back on the backside, works hard, works well and saw the opportunity,” said McCann.

Cooney will have to wait until the quarterfinals finish at 9 a.m. today (Friday) for his next opponent, which will be either 41-3 Marcel Lopez (New London) or 32-6 Jaymus Wilson (Alburnett).

Raider trio split destinies

Bryce Shaha didn’t need the full six minutes to punch his ticket to day two at 113 pounds, pinning Michael Dejong of North Mahaska in 3:45.

Shaha controlled the action throughout, leading 6-0 in the second period before the pin.

Heavyweight Josh Cox was pinned by No. 10 Trenton Dirks of Westwood in the first period of his first match, forcing him into the consolation.

The consolation didn’t provide any easier of a route for Cox, who fell behind 7-3 after starting the second period on top, taking a penalty point and then allowing Chase Gallagher of North Cedar to escape.

In the latter stages of the second period, Cox started to turn things in his favor with two takedowns, cutting the deficit to one, 8-7.

Just 26 seconds into the third period, Cox put his man on his back and pushed his way into Friday’s schedule.

For the Raiders’ 126-pounder Trae Ehlen, his second state tournament ended without a victory.

The sophomore went 0-2 after getting pinned in the third round of both of his matches.

UP NEXT – Day two starts at 9 a.m. for Class 1A with the quarterfinals followed by the second round consolation. For live updates follow @CarterEckl on Twitter.

Area results

106 – Stevie Barnes (Under) pinned Elliot Cooney (NV) 0:43; First round consolation: Cooney (NV) pinned Ryan Duckett (St. Edmonds) 1:58.

113 – Bryce Shaha (MA) pinned Michael Dejong (North Mahaska) 3:45.

126 – Isaac Schimmers (Denver) pinned Trae Ehlen (MA) 5:21; First round consolation: Zane Ziegler (Under) pinned Ehlen (MA) 5:24.

138 – Sherman Hayes (EU) dec. Teagan Lundquist (SWV) 7-5; First round consolation: Lundquist (SWV) maj. dec. Cyden Fitch (Colfax-Mingo) 10-2.

160 – Drew Venteicher (B/L) dec. Aiden Zook (Hudson) 11-8.

220 – Chance Strough (B/L) pinned Keegan Akers (Mediapolis) 3:59

285 – Trenton Dirks (Westwood) pinned Josh Cox (MA) 1:43; First round consolation: Cox (MA) pinned Chase Gallagher (North Cedar) 4:37.