EUREKA — Humboldt’s Dagen Goodner didn’t get off to the start he had hoped for early this season, but by Saturday’s Eureka Invitational Goodner had caught up to speed and then some.
The 160-pound wrestler dominated his competition and pinned his first three opponents before winning by a 9-7 decision over Richad Haggeman of Herington in the championship bout. His record improves to 15-4 this season.
Goodner wasn’t the only Cub to experience success in Eureka. Noah Johnson picked up a pair of wins, including a pin, before falling in the championship against Chase County’s Joseph Stout.
Gunner Elder — the Cubs’ 113-pounder — finished in fourth place. Elder won his first match by pin before dropping his second.
He didn’t hang his head though and won three-straight consolation matches to earn his way into the third-place match, before he was forced to forfeit his final match and settle for fourth.
Sam Wehlage was on a roll in the consolations, having pinned two-straight opponents in the 132-pound bracket, but his day was ended with an injury and he settled for sixth place.
Chad Classen, Speed Hoepker, Seth Hegwald and Josh Vanetta all picked up wins for the Cubs, but each fell just short of the medal stand.
Cheyenne Harris rounded out the competitors for Humboldt.
IOLA
Mustang fans had a scare near the end of the day on Saturday when senior Colton Toney was held out of a consolation match with an injury. Iola coach Jason Bates says the decision was precautionary however.
“(Toney) strained his arm and (we) thought it would be best to play it safe rather than possibly injuring it more before regionals,” Bates said.
Toney had a 2-1 record in the tournament before the forfeit.
Senior Tavon Blazek was the top Iola performer with a third-place finish and a 4-1 record on the day.
Gary Lower picked up a win at 195 pounds for Iola, but fell just short of the medal stand.
John Lynn and Drake Sell also competed.
