Season closed
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CEDAR RAPIDS – The wrestling season came to an end for Creston/O-M at state duals on Saturday at the hand of the state-champion Denver-Tripoli Titans, 53-27.
The Titans (26-0) went on to place first and defeated Davenport Assumption in the finals, 43-24. Creston/O-M’s 27 points were the most scored on Denver-Tripoli, as East Marshall fell 44-25 in the semifinals to the Titans. Creston/O-M finished the season 12-5 in duals.
“A lot of the matches went similar to how I thought they would,” said Creston/O-M coach Darrell Frain. “They had four state champions and we fought them. We knew that we were in for some tough matches. We thought that we would give them a little more fight, but it wasn’t too bad for the effort.”
To Cort Sandeman, Brody Jay, Jared Bevins and Ryan Maitlen, it was more than an end of a season, it was the end of their Creston High School wrestling career.
At the conclusion of the dual, hugs were exchanged as well as words of encouragement from the seniors to their younger teammates. The bond between these wrestlers became clear to all spectators.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” said Sandeman. “I am going to miss it and want to thank coach Frain, (Matt) Long and Mario (Galanakis) for everything they have done for me to make me a better wrestler and a better person. I am really going to miss all my teammates.”
“They’re all going to be missed,” said Frain. “They all won a lot of matches this year and hopefully next year we’ll have some young guys that will step up and take their place. A lot of matches we’ve got to recover from next year. They were a good group.”
Through the course of the dual the Panthers recorded five wins. Three were from seniors Jay, Bevins, and Maitlen. The other two from state-champion Jake Marlin and state placewinner Collin Bevins.
Jay wasn’t able to face Blake Sorenson, who placed third at state at 152. Sorenson bumped up to 160 and Jay faced Chase Shedenhelm instead. Jay got the pin at 3:09. Jay ended his final season with a 19-5 record and his career as a two-time state qualifier.
“I was glad to go out with a pin,” said Jay. “I wasn’t ready for my career to be over. I had lots of fun over the years doing it. I will miss it. I’m glad though that I have three little brothers coming up that I can help and watch.”
Jared Bevins sought redemption following his state appearance and found it against Kory Waddell. Bevins ended the match early in the second period with a pin at 2:33. Bevins ends his senior season with a 37-6 record. He was a state qualifier this year as well as his sophomore year.
“I’m glad I ended with a win,” said Bevins. “If I could do it all over again I would. It’s important for the younger guys to stick with it because wrestling makes you better at everything else.”
After being unable to compete in districts because of a knee injury Maitlen took the mat for the first time in nearly three weeks. He came out aggressively and got the pin against Brad Coontz with 20 seconds remaining in the first period.
“After coming out of a knee injury I was pretty impressed with how I performed,” said Maitlen. “I also thought I had a great season this year. I think that if these younger guys work hard in the off season they will do good things next year.”
Marlin, coming off the 130-pound state championship in his freshman campaign, didn’t disappoint and got the pin against Blaze Shedenhelm in 1:49 at 135 pounds. He ends his freshman year at 44-3.
Collin Bevins faced Tanner Klein. Bevins’ match was the only one of the dual that went the full three periods. It was hard-fought from both sides, but Bevins got the 9-4 decision in the end.
“The season went pretty good,” said Frain. “No one expected us to be here. They expected us to finish low in the conference and we stepped up as the year went on. We finished strong, it just didn’t work out quite so well today.”
DENVER-TRIPOLI 53,
CRESTON 27
103 — Dylan Peters (DT) pinned Gage Cheers (C), 1:18.
112 — Gunnar Wolfensperger (DT) tech fall over Jacob Johnston (C), 16-0, 5:23.
119 — Brandon Sorensen (DT) pinned David Thompson (C), 2:44.
125 — Levi Wolfensperger (DT) pinned Zach Goodrich (C), :38.
130 — Cory Chapin (DT) pinned Keenan Reese (C), :50.
135 — Jake Marlin (C) pinned Blaze Shedenhelm (DT), 1:49.
140 — John Even (DT) pinned Cort Sandeman (C), 3:12.
145 — Austin Broshar (DT) pinned John Young (C), 5:01.
152 — Brody Jay (C) pinned Chase Shedenhelm (DT), 3:09.
160 — Blake Sorensen (DT) won by forfeit.
171 — Noah Minikus (DT) pinned Keaton Hulett (C), 1:23.
189 — Jared Bevins (C) pinned Kory Waddell (DT), 2:33.
215 — Collin Bevins (C) dec. Tanner Klein (DT), 9-4.
285 — Ryan Maitlen (C) pinned Brad Coontz (DT), 1:40.
