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Creston wrestling ended its season in the friendly confines of Mario’s Sports Bar and Grill Sunday with its season-ending banquet.
The Panther wrestling team celebrated a 22-6 season that saw them qualify for the state dual tournament for the 14th time in school history while simultaneously sending five wrestlers to the individual tournament.
To open the banquet, state-qualifying senior Kaden Bolton led the crowd in prayer before a meal. Following the meal, awards were handed out and wrestlers were recognized.
“Five months ago, or in October, I don’t think a lot of us believed maybe there would be a season. To be sitting here today where we’re at, celebrating the season we had, I really feel blessed to be here because it was really close to not happening,” said Creston wrestling head coach Cody Downing. “... It didn’t look good early. We had to do some things to get through it. ... I wanted the season to happen and our seniors to go out with as much normalcy as possible.”
The seniors in question, Andy Weis, Kaden Bolton, Jackson Kinsella, Adam McElwain, Ketaon Street, Garon Wurster and Tyson Stuart, closed the season with modest numbers as a whole while three made the state tournament as individuals. All received a Team Captain Award for this season. The seven who saw the mat this past season combined for a 207-65 record, racking up a combined 113 pins.
“I’m really excited for this group,” said Downing. “... Our senior class laid a foundation. We were really close to losing this season. ... I hope they enjoyed their time.”
Downing reflected on some of his favorite moments of the season, which included the escort to state duals, along with wrestlers doing what was needed to both keep the season alive and heathy as well as doing their part to keep the energy up in limited capacity gyms.
“I think you should all be proud of this group of kids because they bought in to what we had to do to make the season happen. ... They were doing everything they could to make sure they were doing their part to keep our season on track,” Downing said. “... We had to create our own energy and not rely on the roar we’re used to hearing. Our bench was loud. Maybe it was a little intimidating (for other teams) to look across the gym and see 40 guys ready to beat you up. It was really cool.”
When the Panthers got going this season, they were a tough matchup. Two tournament titles, the Centerville “Big Red” Invitational and the John J. Harris Invitational, belong to the Panthers this season. Creston also locked up a first-place finish at their sectional meet, a second-place finish at the Cresco (Flanagan) Invitational and three third-place finishes at Dallas Center-Grimes, Riverside and Dewitt Saber Invitational.
When it came to the conference tournament, the Panthers won the Hawkeye 10 Conference title as well as the regular season title at 10-0. Ten wrestlers qualified for Districts with five moving on to state.
Downing said the heavy traveling for the Panthers helped garner votes in the state rankings and helped make Creston a stronger team physically and mentally.
“I really think traveling, ... it really paid off this year,” said Downing. “... If we don’t do that I don’t think we get the votes. ... That stuff paid off, and as much as I hate basing stuff on rankings, that’s the game we’ve got to play a little bit.”
When discussing each class, Downing pointed towards the juniors as being one of the most important to the team’s success.
“This group, I’ve said it every year, when they were coming out of eighth grade or the youth level, it was so-and-so is going to be good or this or that. None of them are here. They didn’t like to work as hard as they did. That’s how I see it. I like these guys,” said Downing. “I really do enjoy this group and they will work hard in the room. I really don’t think we have the season we had without this group. ... We don’t get where we got without this group. ... Tremendous depth here. ... I really feel like the next year will be fun with them.”
The sophomores and freshmen were also mentioned as being important “depth and balance” to the program that he hopes continues into next year.
The Panther coaching staff had plenty to recognize in a successful season, handing out several team awards. Three awards were voted on by peers, the three being Hardest Worker, Best Teammate and Most Improved.
Kaden Bolton was named as the Hardest Worker Award winner with fellow senior state qualifier Keaton Street receiving the Best Teammate Award.
“Keaton, he owes a lot to Kaden and vice versa,” said Downing on Bolton and Street. “You could tell right away who it mattered to. ... They were usually right in the middle of the room where I could see them. ... That group of seniors, they’re good guys to call if you need help or advice.”
For Most Improved Wrestlers, the award was split between state qualifier Lincoln Keeler and Brandon Briley.
“I watched the wrestling start to matter to them,” said Downing. “... I think most of us would agree these two got better every time out throughout the year. This is well deserved.”
Receiving the Mike Abel Award for the third consecutive year was Jackson Kinsella, a three-time state qualifier and third-place finisher this year.
“It’s not an easy award to get, bit (Mike Abel) was a great student, a great wrestler and a great role model, and I think Jackson fits the bill for that,” Downing said.
Receiving individual awards by each coach was Kinsella, Bolton, Wurster, Gavin Evans, Christien Ahrens, Owen and Carter Henderson. Each coach on staff presented awards to the wrestlers, explaining why they chose them. Also receiving honors Sunday were Bolton, Stuart and Wurster, who were Hawkeye 10 academic all-conference picks.
The Panthers finished this season with a state dual appearance, two place-winners at state (Kinsella, third at 195 and Triston Barncastle, eighth at 132). Kinsella, who will be going on to wrestle at University of Nebraska Kearney, led the season in wins (54), falls (36), major decisions (6), takedowns (128) and team points (365).
Tying for the lead in technical falls was Kaden Street, Austin Evans and Kinsella with three each. Leading in three-point near falls was Austin Evans (29), with Kaden Bolton leading in two-point near falls (11).
Justin Parsons led in reversals (20) and Brandon Briley led in escapes (54).
Poseason awards
Leterwinners – Seniors: Kaden Bolton (4), Jackson Kinsella (4), Garon Wurster (4), Andy Weis (3), Keaton Street (3), Adam McElwain (2) and Tyson Stuart (1). Juniors: Chris Wilson (3), Triston Barncastle (3), Justin Parsons (3), Chris Wells (2) and Aidan Anderson (2). Sophomores: Owen Henderson (2), Carter Henderson (2), Trey Chesnut (2), Kaden Street (2), Chris Aragon (2), Ty Morrison (2), Austin Seaton (2). Freshmen: Brennan Hayes, Jagger Lutehr, Austin Evans, Wil Bolinger, Quinten Fuller, Lincoln Keeler, Max Chapman, Christian Ahrens, Brandon Briley and Gavin Bolton.
Participation awards – Senior: Kolby Hulett. Juniors: Owen Richards, Andre Davis, Tyson Smith. Sophomore: Riley Wipperman. Freshmen: Gavin Evans, Boone Pryor, Carson Rieck, Wyatt Barber, Savannah Sistad and Brice Hull.
Manager letterwinners – Senior: Chloe Marlin. Juniors: Macy Wiley and Kate Foglesong. Sophomores: Jenna Busch and Kenna Tomas.
State qualifier certificates – Jackson Kinsella, Lincoln Keeler, Kaden Bolton, Triston Barncastle and Keaton Street.
Hardest Worker Award – Kaden Bolton.
Best Teammate Award – Keaton Street.
Most Improved Wrestler Award – Brandon Briley and Lincoln Keeler.
Hawkeye 10 Academic All-Conference Award – Kaden Bolton, Tyson Stuard and Garon Wurster.
Team Captain Awards – Tyson Stuard, Adam McElwain, Jackson Kinsella, Kaden Bolton, Keaon Street, Garon Wurster and Andy Weis.
2020 Coaches Awards – Jackson Kinsella, Kaden Bolton, Garon Wurster, Owen Henderson, Carter Henderson, Gavin Evans and Christian Ahrens.
Mike Abel Outstanding Wrestler Award – Jackson Kinsella (third time).