Reigning state champs back with new faces

After graduating 11 seniors, 10 in the state duals champion lineup and nine individual state qualifiers, it could look to be a dismal year for the Panthers on the mat.

But head coach Cody Downing is excited about the new faces in the room.

“We’ve had teams like this that were fairly new and fairly inexperienced,” he explained. “We’ve got a system that works. It might look ugly at first with so many guys new to the lineup and new to varsity, but I know by the end of the year it will look different.”

Last season ended with no juniors on the team, meaning this season would be without senior leadership.

But two talented football seniors stepped up and are favorites be in the varsity lineup this season.

Weston Trapp and Jayden Myers are looking to wrestle 165 and 190, respectively.

“[Trapp] wrestled in middle school and was great for us then,” Downing said. “I’m just glad to see him out. He and Jayden both are great football players and will probably both be in the lineup. I love the way they practice; I don’t see a problem with either of them. It’s great to have seniors. I’m glad to have them.”

The junior class brings back a wealth of experience, some having two full years of varsity experience.

Lane Travis and Brodrick Phelps are leading the crew, both with state tournament experience. Travis medaled at state as a sophomore, placing eighth after coming in seeded 18th.

“Lane and Brodrick have been our leaders all summer. Kylen Parsons is another guy I go to,” Downing said. “He’s been working his tail off in the room. Those are three guys I turn to that have been through it now for three straight years.”

Travis wrestled 113 last season but is expected to jump to 132 this year. Phelps is the favorite at 138 and Parsons will be either 113 or 120.

Gunner Martwick, another junior with two years of varsity experience, is looking to fill the 215 spot in what Downing calls a key part of the lineup.

Freshman Colt Key is the favorite at 106. Ben James and Corbin Jones are looking to fill lower weight spots along with Parsons.

“Landon Lillie has looked great in the room,” Downing said. “He’s probably a favorite at 126 right now.”

Sophomore Colby Brammer is getting the look at 144.

“Colby Brammer has had a great summer; he’s got some returning varsity experience,” Downing said. “He’s been a leader of that grade.”

There are a number of wrestlers able to fit in the 150-175 lbs classes.

With Trapp at 165 and junior Kal Barber the favorite at 170, Downing also has Jackson Pettegrew and freshmen Nate Bentley and Jose Avila in that area.

“There’s no pressure on us. Our system has proven to grow kids over time, so we’re just going to have fun with a young team,” Downing said. “My goal is to have them feeling and wrestling their best in February.”

At heavyweight, sophomores Tom Mikkelsen and Drake Wilson will be battling it out for the spot.

Inside the Hawkeye 10, Lewis Central is looking like a favorite while Glenwood and Atlantic are always strong teams.

“There’s a lot of hype around Kuemper this year, so I’m anxious to see them,” Downing said.

The season starts Thursday in a home triangular with Lenox and Woodward-Granger.

From there, the Panthers will immediately face tough opponents Saturday at the Andy Davidson DCG Mustang Invitational in Grimes.

“I think we’re pretty balanced,” Downing said. “We’ll know early on how far away we are or if we’re right in the hunt. We just want to be in the hunt.”